flight of his Daughter Ximena The third was Sancha Daughter to the King of Navarre by these two he had no Children 923. The last Action of his life darkn'd all the Glory of his former Triumphs He sent for four Counts who governed Castile upon safe Conduct to Carrion and there cut off their Heads Which so incensed the People of Castile that they only wanted an Opportunity to rebell and take Revenge But Death prevented their Designs 924. taking him away at Zamora His Body was buried in the great Church of Leon which City he had so entirely loved that he took its Name for the Title of his Kingdom leaving that of King of Oviedo and Galicia CHAP. VIII The Succession of the Kings of Castile and Leon from the Year 924 till 985 With the Revolt of Count Fernan Gonzalez And the Desolation made in Portugal by Alcoraxis and Almanzor the Moors 1. D. Fruela II. was Successor to his Brother Ordonno Fruela II. usurps the Crown usurping the Crown from his Children who were then very young He was nothing like to his Brother in Valour for he ceased the Prosecution of the War against the Infidels but was not unlike to him in the last Action of his Life for as Ordonno unjustly put to death the fore-mentioned Counts so Fruela wrongfully executed certain Gentlemen called Olmudes He became so odious to the Castilians that the Nobility Castile separates from Leon. and creates a Government under Judges joining together rebelled and separated themselves from the Crown of Leon. To this purpose they chose two Judges to rule them The two first were Nunno Rasura and Lain Calvo They were of the Middle Sort of People neither of the Greatest nor Meanest that so they might neither be too powerful nor become contemptible Yet from them are the Kings of Spain descended At the same time that this Government was instituted in Castile we find Counts governing in some Parts of Portugal as D. Gutierre Arias at Porto and Hufo Hufez at Viseo A Leprosie consumed King Fruela so fast 925. that he died at Leon having reigned scarce a Year and was buried in the Cathedral He had two Wives D. Munia and D. Vrraca By them he had Issue Ordonno Alonso and Ramiro King Ramiro II. put out all their Eyes and thrust them into the Monastery of St. Julian either upon Suspicion or Proof that they conspired against him He had also a fourth Son called Fruela 2. Alonso IV Alonso IV. resigns the Government to his Brother Ramiro Eldest Son of King Ordonno II after the Death of Fruela recovered his Right and Kingdom He was not wicked as his Predecessor but as unprofitable to his Kingdom as he His best Quality was That he was sensible of his own Insufficiency and therefore first sent his Brother Ramiro to govern Portugal and afterwards resigned the Kingdom to him and became himself a Monk Ramiro had chosen the City Viseo for his Residence in Portugal whence he made Inroads into the Frontiers of the Moors and by his gentle Government gained the Affections of the People Here he received Letters from the King his Brother calling him to Court in order to resign the Crown to him for that his Son Prince Ordonno was but an Infant D. Ramiro fearing his Brother's Inconstancy hasted to Zamora that he might not have Time to repent The King immediately put the Crown upon his Head and was the first that did him Homage as his Subject Which done he took the Habit of a Benedictine Monk in the Monastery of Sahagun and is therefore called Alonso the Monk He was married to Ximena the Daughter of King Sancho Abarca of Navarre and had by her Ordonno who came to be King and D. Alonso who died young He died in the Monastery of St. Julian and lies there buried But we shall see him repent and disturb his Brother's Reign 3. King Alonso being become a Monk 928. and repenting Alonso repents and raises a Civil War his Brother Ramiro now possessed of the Crown resolved not to part with it and thus began a Civil War which was the Cause of much Mischief The Moors making their Advantage thereof recovered the Cities of Lamâ—go Braganza and Porto with all the Country lying between the Rivers Tagus and Duero The Castilians also made use of this Opportunity their Judges Nunno and Lain being dead to raise up in their stead the Count Ferran Gonzalez King Ramiro politickly winking at this Affront 932. which he could not revenge upon the Authors invaded the Kingdom of Toledo destroying all before him with Fire and Sword King Alonso the Monk held out two Years in Leon against his Brother Ramiro But then despairing of Success he stirred up Alonso Ordonno and Ramiro the Sons of his Predecessor Fruela to raise a Rebellion in Asturias and Biscay believing that would draw away the King his Brother from attending upon him Nevertheless the King continued the Siege obliged him to surrender and afterwards put him into Prison This done he found Means to apprehend the three Brothers and to prevent future Designs put out theirs and his Brother the Monk's Eyes Two Years Alonso lived blind But the King repenting of this Cruelty used towards his Brother to testifie his Repentance built the Monastery of St. Julian 4. Two Months are said to have passed in the Year 934 934. in which Time the Light of the Sun was scarce seen Prodigies in the Sky at the End whereof a Breach or Yawning appeared in the Sky along which great Flames of Fire were seen to run and the Stars seemed to wander in the Region of the Air. Many Judgments were made upon these Prodigies but most agreed they portended the End of the World to be at hand At last the Sun shined out and whilst the Christians appeased God with Prayers the Moors consulted their Wizards Alfarani of Meca affirmed to King Abderramen that this Prodigy threaten'd the Downfall of Christian Princes if he would take in hand to pull them down Diviners fore-tell what they know is pleasing to Princes and Princes believe that which pleases them Abderramen declares War and makes mighty Preparations for it drawing great Succours out of Africk under the Command of Almanzor With an Army almost innumerable he broke into Portugal bearing down all before him and putting the Christians to most cruel Deaths King Ramiro having gathered the greatest Power he could set forward to meet the Enemy whose Multitude obliged him to retire to the Mountains of Clavijo Ramiro destroys a great Army of Infidels Here the Apostle St. James is said to have appeared to him promising he should obtain a wonderful Victory in that Place In the Fight the Apostle was seen on Horseback making great Slaughter among the 〈◊〉 This Victory some will have to be the Cause of his being taken for Patron of Spain though others say it was that in the Time of King Alonso I. as was
before observed 5. There is a very strange Story about this King A Romantick Story of King Ramiro which because it looks rather Romantick than Historical I will lightly pass over It is as follows King Ramiro was married to the Lady Vrraca but understanding that Alboazar a powerful Moor had a most beautiful Sister called Zara he fell in Love with her by Hear-say He demanded her of Alboazar but being denied had her betrayed to him for Money then putting away his Queen he married her Alboazar to revenge this Wrong surprized and carried away Queen Vrraca who was left at Millor on the other side the River Duero Ramiro hearing hereof filled his Galleys with the choicest of his Men and running up a River near which she was kept he planted the Galleys all covered with Green close under certain Trees that over-shaded the River Then having laid an Ambush and ordered them to lie close till he sounded a Cornet he carried with him he in Disguize approached the Castle where the Queen was kept There he met a Maid belonging to the Queen carrying a Pitcher of Water for her whereof with the Maid's Consent he drank and dropped a Jewel into it well known to the Queen She seeing the Jewel caused him to be brought up to her and having yielded her self up before to the Lust of Alboazar she now betrayed the King into his Hands Ramiro seeing himself taken begged Leave only to sound his Cornet which being granted his Men that lay in Ambush broke into the Castle killed Alboazar and carried away the Queen whom the King caused to be cast into the Sea with a Stone about her Neck because asking of her why she looked so melancholy she answered It was for the Death of the Moor who was a better Man than he To this Relation let every Man give the Credit he thinks it may deserve This King Ramiro had two Wives besides the Moor we have now spoke of The First was the Lady Vrraca and by her he had Ordonno his Successor Sancho and Bermudo The Second was Teresa Daughter to Sancho Abarca King of Navarre Her Issue were Sancho Audonio and Elvira By Artida the Moor he had Alboazar Ramirez and Artiga Ramirez King Ramiro reigned 19 Years 950. he died at Leon and lies in the Monastery of Our Holy Saviour founded by himself and his two Wives Vrraca and Teresa 6. King Ordonno III. was Successor to Ramiro II. King Ordonno III. disturbed by Rebels subdues them The Beginning of his Reign was blessed with Peace which lasted not long for he was soon disturbed by his Brother Sancho who aimed to usurp the Crown assisted by the Count Fernan Gonzalez who took part with him through Malice and contrary to Right and the Tyes of Affinity for Ordonno had married his Daughter Vrraca The Count was guilty of many Enormities besides this notwithstanding the vulgar Opinion of his extraordinary Vertues and Merit D. Garcia Sanchez King of Navarre and Uncle to Sancho as well as Brother to his Mother favoured his Designs With these Aids Sancho presumed to assume the Regal Stile and enter'd the Kingdom of Leon wasting that very Country where he intended to reign King Ordonno soon repulsed the Invaders and the better to be revenged of the Count he was divorced from his Daughter and sent her back to him Some Towns in Galicia had also rebelled but the King reduced them with a great Slaughter of the Rebels No sooner had he quelled the Rebels but he marched through Portugal as far as Lisbon whither no Christian King had reached since D. Alonso the Chaste He takes Lisbon After a fierce Assault he took the City by Storm and gave the Plunder thereof to his Army Which done he returned to his Court laden with Spoils and bestowed them in rewarding those that had deserved best and in Religious Works Conveniency made the King and Count Fernan Gonzalez who had been long at Variance agree and unite their Forces against the King of Cordova They came to a Battel near Gormaz where the Christians obtained a glorious Victory which brought Peace to their Frontiers before subject to continual Incursions This was the Posture of Affairs 955. when Ordonno died at Zamora He lies buried in the Church of Our Blessed Saviour at Leon by his Father with his two Wives Vrraca from whom he was divorced and Elvira whose Parentage is unknown By her he had D. Bermudo and Teresa a Nun in the Monastery of St. Julian in Leon. 7. Sancho Sancho 〈◊〉 Usurper called The Fat. the Brother of King Ordonno usurped the Crown from Bermudo the late King's Son then a Child This Sancho was excessively swelled with the Dropsie and thence though improperly called The Fat He had not long enjoyed the Crown when those very Rebels who had unjustly set it upon his Head 957. took it thence Ordonno Surnamed the Wicked advanced to the Crown to bestow it upon D. Ordonno Surnamed The Wicked Son to King Alonso the Monk The Rebel Count Fernan Gonzalez was the chief Actor in promoting him to the Throne and therefore gave him to Wife his Daughter Vrraca before put away by the other King Ordonno King Sancho fled to Navarre and thence to Cordova Sancho returns and expels him where there were famous Physicians who cured him of his Dropsie Being recovered of his Indisposition he gathered an Army and was so fortunate as to take the Count Fernan Gonzalez and his Son-in-Law Ordonno Though he had them Prisoners he would not presently put them to Death but kept the Count in Custody D. Sancha his Wife coming to see him in Prison changed Clothes with him and by that Means he escaped leaving her in his stead A great Rebellion was raised by the Counts that governed Portugal but the Presence of the King soon reduced them Only Count Gonzalo who governed beyond Duero durst march with an Army to meet his Sovereign yet finding him too strong he made a feigned Submission and was pardoned It was not long before he compassed by Poyson what he had failed of by the Sword The Portuguese Counts being accused of this Treason to clear themselves challenged D. Gonzalo and Count Fruela Vermuiz their Champion overcame him at the Town of Salas near the City of Perto King Sancho perceiving his Death draw near ordered himself to be carried to Leon 96◠but died by the Way at the Monastery of Castrillo where he was buried but was afterwards translated to Leon where his Queen was also interred Queen Teresa was Daughter to Assur Fernandez Count of Monzon By her the King had Issue D. Ramiro III his Successor Vrraca married to Count Nepociano Diaz and Ermesenda by whom the King her Brother is said to have had D. Sancho the Hairy About this time Castile revolted from the Crown of Leon. Authors write that the Cause was because the King could not pay Count Fernan Gonzalez for an Horse and an Hawk he had
any Age. The greatest Fury was King Sancho overthrows his Brother Garcia and takes him Prisoner when the Portuguese strove to gain the Standard of the Castilians King Sancho came thither in Person to defend it and being unhorsed by D. Egas Gomez de Sousa was taken Prisoner by D. Roderick Frojaz who delivered him up to King Garcia No sooner had he delivered his Prisoner but he fell down dead of the Wounds he had before received King Garcia put his Brother into the Custody of certain Gentlemen whilst he pursued the flying Enemy But King Sancho making his Escape from them made his Way to join Roderick Diaz de Bivar called Cid who was then coming up with fresh Troops that had not been engaged These charging the Portuguese before tired and now dispersed in the Pursuit changed the Fortune of the Day However the Fight thus renewed lasted till Night D. Peter and D. Vermui Brothers to D. Roderick Frojas were killed and King Garcia was taken by his Brother who not long before had been his Prisoner and who now knew better how to secure him than he had been kept himself Thus the Castilians recovered the Day and the Portuguese before victorious were put to the Rout. King Garcia continued in Prison 10 Years when he was released by Death There are Authors who write that King Sancho enlarged his Brother Garcia contenting himself that he should be Tributary to him and that D. Alonso Brother to both returned him to Prison in the Castle of Luna where he died with Irons on his Legs With those very Fetters at his own Request he was buried in the Church of St. Isidorus at Leon. 7. King Sancho having obtained the Victory over his Brother Garcia all the Kingdom of Portugal and Galicia submitted to him This Kingdom being subdued he turned his victorious Arms against King Alonso of Leon Sancho after subduing Portugal â—onquers Leon and becomes sole Monarch who well deserved it for consenting to the Destruction of his Brother The War continued bloody for some time with various Success till at length King Alonso overthrown was taken Prisoner To deliver himself from that Misery he retired to Sahagun pretending to become a Religious Man Soon after finding a fit Opportunity 1072. by the Advice of Count Peter Anzures King Alonso of Leon flies to the Protection of the Moors he fled to Toledo where the Moorish King Alimaimon entertained him with Royal Magnificence Nothing now remained to disturb King Sancho's ambitious Thoughts but his Sister Vrraca's possessing Zamora He laid Siege to that City and had now reduced it to Extremity but here in this last Act God permitted the Curses of his Father to reach him for in the Height of his Confidence a Traytor called Vellido Dolphes coming out of the City upon pretence of revealing some Secret to him took his Opportunity to strike him through the Body with a Spear whereof he fell down dead King Sancho reigned six Years and was murder'd in 1073. 1073. He was called The Brave and was married to the Lady Blanch Daughter to his Uncle Garcia Sanchez King of Navarre or according to others to Alberta of France His Body lies in the Church of our Blessed Saviour at Onna 8. King Alonso being generously protected by the Moor Alimaimon King of Toledo lived in hopes of better Fortune when Advice was brought him from Zamora by Order of his Sister Vrraca of the Death of his Brother Alonso after his Brother's Death returne and is received by the People aâ— their King King Sancho He immediately came to take Possession of his Kingdoms and was received with general Applause Only Roderick Diaz de Bivar called Cid would not take the Oath of Allegiance to him till he swore he had no Hand in the Death of King Sancho It is strange amidst the universal Satisfaction the King should have need of one Man But he resented this Affront so heinously that he afterwards banished him in which Exile Roderick gained much Honour King Alonso the 6th of that Name being settled in quiet Possession of his Kingdoms approved himself worthy of greater Dominions being one of the most victorious Princes of Spain and that farthest extended his Conquests He seemed rather to have fled to Toledo as a Spy than for Protection for he took that City from the Infidels and valued himself so much upon it that from thenceforwards he stiled himself Emperor 1085. and was the Honour of the Spanish Monarchy 9. King Alonso had six Wives Alonso's Wâ—ves and Issue The First was Agnes her Parentage unknown and she left no Issue The Second was Constance Daughter to Duke Robert II. of Burgundy She had a Daughter called Vrraca afterwards married to Count Raymund of Burgundy and her Portion was the Kinâ—â—â—om of Galicia Her Husband came to Spain with her Mother and they had Issue Sancha and Alonso the Emperor King Alonso's Third Wife was Berta Daughter to Philip I King of France By her he had the Ladies Sancha and Elvira the First married to Count Roderick Gonzalez Giron the Latter to Roger I King of Naples and Sicily The Fourth Wife was Elizabeth Daughter to the Emperor The Fifth Beatrix a French Lady Neither of them had any Children The Sixth was Zaida her Christian-Name Elizabeth Daughter of Almucamuz Aben Hamet King of Sevil She bore him a Son called Sancho killed at Twelve Years of Age in the Battel of Velez in the Year 1100. The King in his Youth had to do with the Lady Ximena Nunez de Gusman Daughter to King Garcia VI of Navarre By her he had three Daughters The First Elvira married to Count Raymund of Toulouse her Portion was a great Summ of Money with which he returned to France The Second Daughter was Teresa Wife to Count Henry the Progenitor of the Kings of Portugal Grandson to Robert I. Duke of Burgundy being the Fourth Son to Henry Eldest Son to the Duke Of the Third Daughter we have no Account unless it was one that was married to Ferdinand Mendez the Elder Son to Mâ—m Alao Lord of Braganza Some Authors would make the Lady Ximena to be lawful Wife to King Alonso but there are undeniable Proofs to the contrary in old Records specifying the Time when each Wife was married to the King wherein none is left for this Lady who doubtless was no other than a Mistress 10. Count Henry Count Henry marries the Bastard Daughter of King Alonso after he had married the Bastard-Daughter of King Alonso served the King in his Wars and was some Times sent Governor into Portugal as were several others from the Year 1072 till 1098. For tho' the Count was married in the Year 1072 the Kingdom of Portugal was not absolutely assigned over to him till after the Birth of his Son Alonso which was in the Year 1094 And we find that from the Year 1099 the Count continued settled in Portugal as absolute Lord and Proprietor thereof whereas
St. Michael the Archangel is said to have been seen by his side hewing down the Infidels Hence he went to the Monastery of Alcobaca to return thinks to God for this success and staying there a Month is said to have instituted a new order of Knighthood called that of the Wing for that in the Battle he saw a winged Arm near him fighting against the Moors which the King supposing to be St. Michael or his Guardian Angel he dedicated the order to them both The chief Rules were that the Knights should wear a red Wing embroidered with Gold that none but Gentlemen of Note should be admitted to the Order that in fight they should carry the Royal Standard that they should take the Oath of Allegiance administred by the Prior of Alcobaca who was to be superior of the Order that they should every day say the same Prayers as did the Converts of that Monastery that their Feast should be observed on Michaelmass Day The King and principal Men were enrolled in this Order but it was not lasting 5. At this time there was in the Portuguese Court Gonzalo Hermiguez his actions a Gentleman called Gonzalo Hermiguez much esteemed of the Ladies for his Eloquence and Art in Poetry and no less envied of the Men as well for those Qualities as for that his extraordinary Actions had purchased him the Title of Moor Swallower This Gentleman with a party that used to follow him passed over the River Tagus before it was light on Midsummer Day from Lisbon to Almada and there lay in Ambush The Moors according to their Custom coming out that Morning with their Women to be merry upon the Banks of the River he suddenly rushed out upon them expecting no such Entertainment and made a great slaughter of them The Infidels strove to defend themselves but in vain for he carried off a rich Booty to his Boats Being ready to put off he espied a Moor carrying away a beautiful Woman and leaping again ashore he forced her from him and so made over to Santarem with his Prey Of all the booty he took nothing to himself but the fair Captive whom Baptized he made his Wife She soon after dying he was so afflicted that leaving the World he took upon him the habit of St. Bernard in the Monastery of Alcobaca and out of his own Patrimony having no Children founded the Monastery of St. Mary de Tumarayâ— near Ourem Much about this time it is recorded that the King being near the mouth of the River Mondego found a small Chappel with the Image of our B. Lady which restored to life one of his Servants killed with a fall from his Horse An old Hermit told him it was the same that had preserved all the Women and Children killed by John the Abbot as was said in its place when he sallied out of Montemayor and unexpectedly overthrew a multitude of Infidels This moved the King to erect a Monastery there called at present St. Mary de Seica and the Image being several times removed from the poor Chappel to the magnificent Church of this Monastery is said always of it self to have returned to its own place Peter the King's Bastard Brother ranging abroad met a party of Moors conducting a Beautiful Lady with much Treasure all which having routed them he took Cide Achim a Moor of Silves who courted this Lady begged her of the King or else desired him to keep him also for his slave The King referred him to his Brother Peter who not only restored to him the Lady but all the Treasure taken with her upon condition he should send no succours to Lisbon which it seems was not then taken 6. Peter of Peter Bastard Brother to Alonso Bastard Brother to King Alonso was sent into France to prevail with St. Bernard to use his interest with the Pope for to obtain his investiture and confirmation of the new Kingdom of Portugal To omit what is too Romantick concerning this Peter he is said for his extraordinary valour to have been admitted into the number of the 12 Peers of France and that preparing to accompany that King to Hierusalem he was diswaded by St. Bernard who advised him rather to act against the Moors in Spain He followed his advice and was at the taking of Santarem Lisbon Trancoso Badajoz and other great Actions After this he was chosen Master of the new instituted order of Knight-hood called that of Avis which Honour he obtained of the King that he might not be obliged by him to Marry Returning one day with a party from an Engagement with the Moors he laid down in a Field and fell a Sleep at which time St. Bernard appeared to him in a Dream perswading him to take upon him the Habit of his Order which he accordingly performed and lived 13 Years in the Monastery of Alcobaca with an extraordinary opinion of Sanctity 7. The Dominions of Portugal being now enlarged from a small Dower given by the King of Leon with his Bastard Daughter to the proportion of a considerable Kingdom King Alonso sued to Pope Alexander III. for his invessiture in the same offering to pay to the See of Rome for ever two pound of Gold yearly as an acknowledgment of his holding that Crown of the Pope His Holiness granted his request and accordingly expedited his Bulls to that effect in the Year 1172. 1172. Hereupon the Cortes or Parliament was assembled at Lamego Pope Alexander grants the Investiture of the Kingdom of Portugal to Alonso under a Tribute in which pursuant to these Bulls the King was crowned with a Crown of Gold by the Archbishop of Braga and all the States there assembled unanimously voted their Kingdom independent of the Crown of Leon For the better regulating of the succession it was enacted That the King's Sons should inherit and for want of them his Brothers whose Sons should not succeed them without consent of the People That Daughters might Inherit provided they Married not out of the Kingdom that their Husband should not be called King till the Queen had a Son that he should not wear the Crown on his Head in Parliament that if she Married a Forreign Prince she should not inherit least the Crown should be transferred to Strangers 8. About this time the King made an incursion into Algarve The body of St. Vincent translated to Lisbon as far as the Promontorium Sacrum or Cape St. Vincent desiring to translate the Body of that Saint which he understood to be there but he could not perform it and retired Afterwards the Council of Lisbon sent People to discover it who brought it away to that City where it is kept with great Veneration a number of Crows following the Body from the Mountain to the great Church where it lies and there they also continue to this Day Abenjacob Son to the Miramamolin or Emperor of Morocco with a mighty Army besieged and much streightned the Town of Abrantes but certain
considering the great merit of D. Payo Correa before spoken of made him General for the conquest of Algarve He acted therein with the success that was hoped of his conduct taking several strong holds among which were Estombar and Alvor Garcia Rodrigues who had travelled that Country as a Merchant was his principal Guide having forsaken the pursuit after Riches to purchase Honour with his Sword Paderne was also taken but cost dear the success remaining a long time dubious The Enemy having proposed a Cessation of Arms it was granted because our forces fatigued with so many expeditions required some time of refreshment During this Truce the Commendary Peter Perez with five Gentlemen went out to hunt in the Mountains of the Village of Antas In their passage by Tavira a City belonging to the Moors they were set upon by a greater number of Infidels Garcia Rodriguez the Merchant above mentioned passing that way hasted to their succour and after a brave resistance they were all killed upon the place D. Payo Correa could not come time enough to save their lives though upon the first advice of the accident he hasted thither Seeing his Friends could not be saved he fell upon the Enemy for revenge and they flying to the City he entred it together with them and though he met with a vigorous resistance made himself Master of it King Sancho hearing of the taking of Tavira gave it to the Knights of Santiago 4. The conquest of Silves only was wanting to compleat our General 's Glory Silves again recovered His Policy and Celerity brought it about the Enemy offering him a favourable opportunity The Inhabitants of that place went out to assist King Aben Afan at the Siege of Estombar D. Payo instead of relieving the Besieged attacked Silves then forsaken of its Defendants and easily made himself Master of it The Moorish King hasting to succour the City came late for his design but in time for D. Payo who rushing out of the City put him to flight so precipitately that he was drowned on the Coast which in memory of him is to this day called the Sea of Abenafan Thus all Algarve was brought under the power of King Sancho The Pope about this time having invited all Christian Princes to joyn their Forces against the Tartars 1244. King Sancho provided a Gallant Army for that Expedition but all his Preparations were disappointed for he went not as he had designed Roderick Sanchez Son to King Sancho I. having been long at variance with Giles de Soverosa a powerful Man in those days they met with armed Troops near the City Porto and after a sharp Engagement the dispute ended with the life of Roderick Sanchez who was there slain In this Encounter Roderick Fafes a Man of Note having lost his Horse asked Gonzalo Rodriguez de Abreu to give him his he gave it upon condition the other should give him his Daughter Mencia in Marriage which according to promise Fafes afterwards performed 5. The King continued to bestow liberally most rich Possessions on the Church The subjects ripe for rebellion tho' the King was blameless His goodly Actions deserved no less love of his Subjects than any of his Predecessors but it is not always Merit that gains esteem among Men. Envy towards his Favourites produced Malice against him nor was the fault in his Government or in choosing such Ministers but that all who aspired to it could not be Favourites There never is wanting a pretence to subjects disposed to rebell The King easing himself on his Favourites the Portuguese gave out he was uncapable to Govern and therefore proposed to erect a Lieutenant to manage affairs for him and made application to the Pope hereupon having fixed upon the King's Brother Alonso to fill that place and succeed him It was want of Loyalty in them and not of capacity in him that produced this Resolution One objection raised against King Sancho by his Enemies They cavil at all his Actions was That he had married a Wife below his Quality and was too fond of her Weak motives to a Rebellion especially considering his Queen was the Daughter of D. Lope Diaz de Haro Lord of Biscay and of Vrraca bastard Daughter to Alonso IX King of Leon so that she was equal to him either as being both the Off-spring of the same King's Bastards or as to grandeur her Father wanting nothing but the usurped Title of King to make him as great as he of Portugal It is true the Queen favouring those who had been instrumental in advancing her to the Crown hid some miscarriages from the King which gave occasion to the multitude to commit several insolencies and the King not punishing them whilst he could had not afterwards the power to do it when he would Some would have it that the Queen had given her Husband a Potion the more to secure his love to her and to divert him wholly from the care of the Government 6. The tumultuous Cryes of the People not prevailing The Clergy joins in the Rebellion with the Laity the Clergy took upon them to espouse their Quarel and had recourse to Pope Gregory IX who thundered out Ecclesiastical Censures against the King on account of his being Married to Queen Mencia who was his Kinswoman within the prohibited degree The King making no account of the Spiritual Weapons the People mutinied being headed by Raymund Viegas Portocarreo a Man of quality The Rebels seize the Queen and breaking into the Palace at Coimbra took away the Queen and put her into the Castle of Ourem This exasperated the King to that height that gathering what force he could he endeavoured to recover her but all in vain for the Rebels conveyed her into Castile The King betrayed by all his Ministers Now it plainly appeared that King Sancho was rather Unfortunate than unfit to Govern for even the Ambassadors he employed abroad betrayed him He sent John Egas Archbishop of Braga and Peter and Tiburicus Bishops of Porto and Coimbra to Rome and they forgetting they were sent by their Prince became Sollicitors for the Rebels who held correspondence there Hereupon a Council was held at Lions in France assembled by Pope Innocent IV. and King Sancho having sent thither his Ambassadors Ruy Gomez de Briteiros Gomez Viegas Peter Alonso a Franciscan and Dominick de Braga a Dominican they joyned with the mutinous Prelates Alonso Brother to King Sancho made Vicar of the Kingdom by the Rebels and thereupon Count Alonso Brother to King Sancho then Married in France to Maud Countess of Bolen was at Paris Sworn Vicar of the Kingdom and as such confirmed by the Pope yet so that King Sancho should still retain the Title and Preheminence of King and his Sons if he had any should inherit This new Substitute brought more harm than good to the Kingdom for his followers treated him as a King and he assumed that respect which did not belong to him
brought of the Death of King Sancho at Toledo The great Freitas demanded a Truce whilst he went to Toledo to be assured of the Truth There he caused the King's Grave to be opened and seeing him Dead delivered to him the Keys of the City he had entrusted him with and asking leave to deliver them to his Brother 1248. took them again Being come to Coimbra he opened the Gates to King Alonso who admiring so unparallelled a Gallantry restored to him the Command without demanding Homage of him for it which favour he extended to his Heirs but he knowing how hard it was to make a return suitable to such a favour refused to accept of it and layed his Curse even to the fourth Generation upon such as should admit of it 4. Alonso now become absolute King by the Death of his Brother resolved to imitate his Predecessors or if it might be to out-doe them by adding to his Dominions the Kingdom of Algarve and not suffering it to be lost again as had happened to them D. Payo Correa with the Forces under his Command had already taken several places in that Kingdom the King joyned him and both together layed Siege to the Town of Faro 1249. The King observing the place might be relieved by Sea King Alonso conquers Algarve placed some Vessels at the Mouth of the River to guard the Passage and then began to batter the place on all sides The Besieged perceiving no hope to hold out began privately to treat of a Surrender with the King he taking only Ten Gentlemen that were privy to the Treaty ventured into the Town so secretly that none of his Army knew it D. Payo Correa missing the King and hearing no account of him furiously assaulted the place the Portuguese fighting like Lions instead of being discouraged at the absence of their Sovereign Many were killed and more had perished but that the King appeared on the Walls holding out the Keys of the Town Thus this place was reduced submitting to pay the same tribute it had before payed to the Miramamolin The Government of it was given to Stephen Perez de Tavares D. Payo Correa was sent before to invest the Town of Albufiera and had signalized his Valour when the King came to second him Both together finished the Conquest of the place which was given to D. Payo for his good Service I guess the motive of the King 's staying behind was the Beauty of the Governour of Faro's Daughter with whom he fell in Love when he received the Keys of the Town for by his Lady he had D. Martin Alonso Chichorro from whom is Descended the Family of Sousa of that Name Fortune now bent upon favouring our King caused other places to submit to him before he could appear before them 1250. Loule surrendred but not without some Bloodshed Algezar Perches and other places were all reduced The King before his departure placed trusty Governours in all the Towns with sufficient Garrisons so as to secure that new conquered Kingdom which never after offered to revolt from him King Alonso having nothing now to employ his Arms within his own limits entred Andaluzia and took the Towns of Arouche and Araâ—na 1251. This Action moved King Alonso the Wife of Castile and Leon to invade the Kingdom of Algarve which he conquered 1252. After much contention betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Portugal Differences betwixt Castile and Portugal 〈◊〉 to Pope Pope Innocent the Fourth composed all Differences so that the King of Castile was to hold Algarve during his Life and he of Portugal to marry his Bastard Daughter Both Kings were so willing to embrace this accommodation that they never considered the Bride was not Twelve Years of Age and the Bridegroom above Forty nor that the Countess of Bolen was still alive It is true Pope Innocent approved of this Match and yet afterwards Pope Alexander would not allow of it All Military Employment now ceasing the King applied himself to the Civil Affairs and held a Parliament at Leiria Next he took a Progress through the Kingdom 1255. repairing the Forts Towns and Churches that had been ruined during the War He spared neither cost nor labour in those publick Works he built from the Ground the Monastery of Santarem the Towns of Estremoz 1258. Odemira Monforte Valencia del Minho then called Contrasta 1259. and Viana de Lima. His whole study was bent upon the good of the Government and knowing how necessary Trade is to support it ordered many Fairs and cleared the Roads of Robbers to secure Commerce 6. In the midst of these Employments came to him two Gentlemen to Freilas The King's cruelty towards his lawful Wife where he then was sent by Maud the Countess his first and lawfull Wife to advertise him that she perceiving he did not send for her to his Kingdom and hearing he was Married again was come of her self to find him out and lay then at Cascais The King who had for the sake of his new Wife regarded neither Divine nor Human Laws sent her such an Answer that she was forced to return to Bolen leaving a Letter for him wherein she taxed himwith Ingratitude and False-hood threatning him with the censures of the Church the Power of Christian Princes and the revenging hand of God Authors add that she brought with her two Children she had by him whom in revenge she left exposed upon the Rocks which are ever since called Cachopos that word in Portuguese signifying Boys That the Countess had Children by him is proved by the authority of Antient Authors and there is no proof but bare surmises to the contrary besides that a Tomb has been seen with an Inscription denoting it contained a Son of theirs that followed him into Portugal and was entirely beloved by him King Alonso of Castile 1260. Father-in-law to our King having composed the difference about Algarve marched into Andaluzia his Son-in-law assisting him both by Sea and Land In return for this kindness the Castillian resigned up to him all his Title to Algarve and delivered the Towns to D. John de Aboin and his Son D. Peter Anes de Portel upon condition the Portuguese should during his life be obliged to assist him with Fifty Lances whensoever he should demand them This obligation was also taken off when his Grandson Prince Denis being Seven Years of Age visited him at Sevil and desired to be knighted by him 1263. Before this time to prevent Broils and Animosites the bounds of the Kingdoms of Leon and Portugal were marked out 7. About this time hapned an unparallelled wonder A strange action of a jealous Woman a Woman perceiving she was not beloved by her Husband acquainted a Jewish Woman therewith desiring her assistance The Jew perswaded her that when she received the Blessed Sacrament she should keep the Host and bring it to her wherewith she would work her relief She tied
chief whereof was D. Payo Perez Correa Master of the Military Order of Santiago CHAP. VIII The Life and Reign of Denis the first of that Name and sixth King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1261. till 1325. 1. KIng Denis King Denis his Birth and Succession to the Crown Eldest Son to Alonso III. and Queen Beatrix was born at Lisbon on the 9th of October 1261. and was so called from the Saint whose Day that was From his Infancy he was educated in all those Vertues and Accomplishments that make an Excellent Prince In Truth Justice and Liberality he exceeded most of them that had been before him His Father dying when he was but Eighteen Years of Age though he honoured his Mother in all other Respects he would allow her no share in the Government She resenting this as an Affront went away into Castile pretending her Journey was only to pay a Visit to her Father That King desiring to please her took a Journey to Badajoz and sent to desire King Denis to come as far as Elvas Thither the Princes Peter Sancho Jayne and his Brother Emanuel repaired to him by whom the King of Castile desired they might meet at Badajoz King Denis having entertained them magnificently for the space of three Days sent them back saying He would soon be after them but suddenly returned to Lisbon thinking it a better Expedient not to meet his Grand-father than to deny his Request The Queen thus disappointed went away with her Father to Sevil where she continued being convinced her Son would admit no Partner in the Throne 2. The King being Twenty Years of Age He Marries Elizabeth the Daughter of King Peter of Aragon sent his Embassadors to Peter III. King of Aragon to ask his Daughter Elizabeth then but Eleven Years old in Marriage His Request was easily granted and the Bride conducted to Braganza where she was received by Alonso the King's Brother who conveyed her to Trancoso where the best King of Portugal and one of the best Queens in the World were marryed His next Care was â—o compleat what his Father had begun which was to dear the Kingdom of Robbers and Out-laws and to Protect the meaner sort against the Insolencies of Great Men and particularly the Country People whom he called the Sinews of the Commonwealth For this Reason and because he built many Castles he was called the Husbandman and Father of his Country Having at his Entrance into the Government passed many extravagant Grants when he came to the Age of 22 he recalled them all 1283. He had some Difference with his Brother Alonso who refused to make any Acknowledgment for the Towns left him by his Father Has Differences with his Brother Alonso and had some Pretensions to the Crown pleading that Denis was Born before the Death of the Countess of Bologne and consequently must be Illegitimate whereas he was Born after her Death when the Pope had ratified the Match They both took Arms and Alonso was besieged by his Brother in Portalegre yet at last they agreed The chief Articles were That Alonso should be allowed 30000 Crowns a Year out of the King's Revenue and instead of the Towns he possessed should have Sintra and Ourem for that the others were more dangerous to the King as lying on the Borders of Castile Thus ended those Civil Broils 3. A War broke out with King Sancho the Third of Castile War betwixt Castile and Portugal called the Fierce for that he performed not the Covenants about the Marriages of the Princes for Security whereof he had put into Portuguese Hands the Cities of Badajoz and Truxillo as also the Towns of Moura Serpa Caceres Allariz and Aguiar de Neiva All these Places he again suddenly surprized and made several inroads into Algarve and into Portugal by the way of Leon destroying all the Country before him King Denis being then wholly unprovided for War sent Embassadors to adjust Affairs but to no effect King Denis now moved to Wrath challenged King Sancho and at the same time caused his Forces to do much harm in the Enemy's Country Sancho designed to answer the Challenge but was prevented by Death at which time he ordered all that had been before stipulated should be performed Ferdinand the Fourth his Successor not answering what was expected from him King Denis sent his Embassadors to demand the Restitution of the Towns taken by his Predecessor and in case of Refusal to fix the Challenge upon him Restitution being denied the Challenge was accordingly given and the Embassadors withdrew This done King Denis with a Puissant Army marched from the City Guarda and entred Castile committing all manner of Hostilities Prince Henry who was Governour to the young King Ferdinand put a stop to our King 's further Progress making him advantageous Proposals and referring the Conclusion to Cuidad Rodrigo where the two Kings met with the Queen-Mother of Castile and concluded all Articles the Towns demanded by the Portuguese being put into the Hands of Ferdinand Longominhâ— as a Pledge for performing all other parts But this Compliance on the part of Castile being the Product of Fear and not of any Friendly Intention nothing of what had been promised was performed 4. King Denis draws together his Forces again Denis enters Castile the second time and furiously enters Castile and with him Prince John who stiled himself King of Leon as Son to King Alonso the Tenth and John Nunnez de Lara who was in Rebellion against his Prince Our Army being in the Province of Beira near the Frontiers of Castile there came to the King Margaret Daughter to the Earl of Narbonne Wife to Prince Peter the Son of King Alonso and with her her Son Sancho de Ledesma who offered to serve our King being disgusted with his own Yet tho he was much honoured and received great Bounties from King Denis he soon returned to his own Master and served against him of whom he had received such Favours King Ferdinand understanding that King Denis had invaded his Dominions sent his Fleet from Sevil under the Command of that Sancho we last spoke of to Lisbon where he surprized some Portuguese Vessels Our Admiral having gathered what Force he could pursued and overtook the Fleet of Castile without the Bar. The Fleet of Castile worsted by the Portugueses There was fought a most obstinate Battle till the Castillians were worsted and their Commander D. Sancho brought back Prisoner In the mean while K. Denis without Opposition ranged about the Territories of Cuidad Rodrigo and Ledesma where he took the Castle of Torres putting all the Defendants to the Sword He passed by Simancas where King Ferdinand was and laid Siege to Possaldes where neither Sex nor Age was spared nor was any Reverence paid to the Churches where the Altars were stained with Blood nor did their Sacrilegious Hands abstain from Plundering those Holy Places The Castilians were not
Coimbra His Liberality was such that it became a Proverb As liberal as Denis The Presents he made to Kings Queens and Nobility when he went to compose Affairs betwixt the King of Castile and Duke Alonso de la Cerda were inestimable and cannot be reckoned After that a Gentleman of Castile telling him that none but himself had fallen short of his Bounty he gave him the Silver Table whereon he dined To reckon up the particular acts of his Generosity were too tedious it may suffice to say this above the rest was his peculiar Vertue in which he exceeded most Princes He knew all the Product of his Kingdom and valued it so much that he never desired to be supplied from abroad with any thing that he could have at home Of the Gold gathered in Tagus he made a rich Crown and Scepter But notwithstanding his prodigious Liberality he never oppressed his Subjects with heavy Taxes He was of a middle Stature his Hair black full Faced not so Beautiful as Majestick He died at Santarem the 7th of January 1325. at the Age of 64 Years 1325. having Reigned 46. It became a Proverb That Denis could do all he would His stately Tomb built by himself is in the Monastery of Odivelas of Benedictine Nuns near Lisbon of the Invocation of St. Denis 12. Elizabeth His Wife and Issue Daughter to King Peter III. of Aragon and his Queen Constance the Daughter of Manfredus King of Naples and Sicily was the only Wife of King Denis He being extreamly addicted to Women she bred up all the Children he had by them as if they had been her own by which her patience she made him afterwards forbear that Vice and punish it severely in others To be short she was a most holy Woman and an excellent Queen and was Canonized in the Reign of Phillip IV. of Spain By her the King had Alonso his Successor and Constance Wife to King Ferdinand IV. of Castile His illegitimate Issue were by Aldonza Rodriguez Alonso Sanchez created Earl of Albuquerque By the Lady Grace Peter Earl of Barcelos the first Title of that kind given by the Kings of Portugal another Peter called also Earl By other Women John Alonso Ferdinand Sanchez the Lady Mary Married to Duke John de la Cerda another Mary a Nun at Odivelas CHAP. IX Yhe Life and Reign of Alonso the Fourth of the Name and the Seventh King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1290. till 1357. 1. THE Favour that King Denis shewed to Learning made him reside where he had caused it to flourish King Alonso the 4th wholly addicted to his Pleasure Having therefore resettled the Court at Coimbra on the Eighth of February 1290. was Born to him in that City of his Wife the holy Queen Elizabeth his Son Alonso 4th of the Name and the Seventh King of Portugal 1290. who for his forward and fiery spirit was called the Fierce He who as we have seen was so eager to Rule whilst his Father lived after his Death cast off all the care of Government giving himself wholly up to his Pleasure and particularly to Hunting Upon his Accession to the Crown instead of settling the Affairs of the Kingdom he went away to the Forrest of Sintra 1325. where he spent a whole Month among the wild Beasts Returning to Court and appearing at the Council-Board instead of the Business of that Place he gave them an Account of his Sport Hereupon one of the Counsellors took the Boldness to reprove him with threatning Expressions which the King being offended at all the Council stood up and said they would choose another King if he did not alter his Course of Life The King tho he then went out in a Passion being grown cool thought good to curb his Inclination Our Author here extols the Bravery of those Counsellors I find nothing to admire in the matter but the Insolency of wicked and haughty Subjects and the want of Resolution in him he stiles a Magnanimous Prince The King not satisfied with having during his Father's Life unjustly Persecuted his bastard-Bastard-Brother and Expelled him the Kingdom At Variance with his Bastard-Brother still persisting in his ill grounded Malice towards him laid many things to his Charge and by formal tho' unjust Process Condemned him to forfeit all his Possessions in Portugal at once endeavouring to deprive him of his Fortune and Honour D. Alonso Sanchez modestly sued for Redress but none was to be had from a byassed Judge He was now powerful and beloved in Castile and Leon and therefore raising a good Force entred the Territory of Bragança with Fire and Sword whilst others of his Troops did the like from Medellin and Albuquerque in the Country about Guadiana 1326. This done he returned to his Town of Albuquerque where he Fortified himself and made preparations for open War D. Gonzalo Vaz Master of the Knights of Avis being sent against him by the King was put to the rout and Duke Alonso falling Sick returned to Medellin In the mean time the King Besieged the Castle of Codesseyra near Albuquerque which being basely delivered to him by the Governour was rased to the Ground 2. The King proposed a Match betwixt his Son Prince Peter 1327. and Constance the Daughter of D. John Emanuel who was of the Blood Royal of Castile and his Wife of that of Aragon King Alonso IX of Castile broke off this Match contracting himself to her for she was under age and yet afterwards he contemned her and was Married to Mary Marries his Daughter to the King of Castile Daughter to King Alonso of Portugal To that effect he came into Portugal and received the Princess at the Town of Alfayates whither her Father had Conducted her At this Place a Match was concluded betwixt Henry 1328. Prince of Portugal and the Princess Blanch Henry Prince of Portugal marries Blanch Aunt to the King of Castile Aunt to the King of Castile The following Year the Portuguese received her at Fuentegrinaldo where he again met with her Father Prince Peter about some alterations to be made in the Hostages given for exchange of the Ratifications Two Years after the King of Castile was Married to our Princess he became so intangled in the Love of the Lady Ellenor Nunnez de Guzman 1330. that he treated her as Queen and the Queen as if she had been but a Concubine Our holy Queen Elizabeth met him at Xerez de Badajoz to endeavour to reclaim him but could obtain nothing but promises for he continued obstinate in his Amours 1332. D. John Emanuel desiring to be revenged of the King of Portugal for that giving his Daughter to the King of Castile in Marriage he had caused his Daughter Constance to be put by made his interest with the Lady Ellenor the King of Castile's Mistress perswading her to prevail with the King to marry her for his Marriage with the
Interment a Majestick Presence his Forehead large his Eyes black and beautiful his Hair reddish which he wore long his Mouth small his Visage long He somewhat stammered in his Speech was addicted to Poetry and some Verses of his are still extant He Reigned Ten Years wanting Two Months and died in January 1367. 1367. He is buryed by the Lady Agnes de Castro and his Picture to the Life on the Tomb. The Lady Constance his first Wife lies in the Church of S. Francis at Santarem By her he had Issue 1. Lewis who died an Infant 2. Ferdinand who succeeded in the Throne 3. Mary marryed to Ferdinand Prince of Aragon Son to King Alonso the Fourth His Children by the Lady Agnes de Castro were 1. Alonso His Issue who died a Child 2. Denis who refusing to kiss the Hand of Queen Ellenor Wife to King Ferdinand went away to Castile where he marryed Joanna Bastard-Daughter to King Henry 3. John who by the Advice of Queen Ellenor killed the Lady Mary Tellez de Meneses his own Wife and the Queen's Sister He should have succeeded King Ferdinand but that King John of Castile kept him Prisoner and in the mean while his Bastard Brother called also John usurped the Crown In Castile he marryed Constance Bastard Daughter to King Henry 4. Beatrix Wife to D. Sancho Earl of Albuquerque Bastard Son to King Alonso XI of Castile King Peter had one Bastard Son called John Master of the Military Order of Avis who after the Death of King Ferdinand usurped the Crown CHAP. XI The First Part of the Life and Reign of Ferdinand the first of the Name and ninth King of Portugal from the Year 1340. till 1373. 1. FErdinand was the Second Son of King Peter King Ferdinand his Birth and his Wife Constance He was Born in the City Coimbra and succeeded his Father at 27 Years of Age. The Peace and Treasures King Ferdinand inherited 1340. were not at all lasting 1367. for he engaged himself in a War against Castile He engages in a War against Castile pretending a Right to that Crown after the Death of King Peter as Great Grandson to King Sancho Henry the present Possessor being a Bastard and Regicide Many Persons of Note who fled out of Castile encouraged him in this Enterprize and many Towns not admitting Henry offered themselves to Ferdinand He bestowed vast Possessions on several of the Castilians that came over to him as particularly to Ferdinand Earl of Castro Xeres and Brother-in-law to King Henry he gave Fifteen Towns to D. Alvaro Perez de Castro his Brother Eight Towns the Earldom of Arroyolos and the Office of Constable to Ferdinand Alonso de Zamora Nineteen Towns and so to many others too long to recount besides Gifts in Money and Jewels which exhausted the Treasures left by his three Predecessors Many Cities and Towns also of Castile declared for our King where he immediately coined Money bearing the Arms and Titles of both Kingdoms Our King in outward appearance pretended more Zeal to Revenge the Murder of King Peter than Ambition to joyn that Kingdom to his own To inculcate this Opinion he sent Embassadors to the Pope the King of England and other Princes laying before them the heinousness of the Crime as committed by a Brother against his Brother and by a Subject against his Soveraign 2. Whilst the Embassadors were on their way Enters into League with the Moorish King of Granada the King concluded a League with the Moorish King of Granada for Fifty Years during which time they were to assist one another and neither was to pretend any Right to whatsoever Places of Castile were taken by the other nor was either of them if assisted with any Troops by his Confederate to allow them any Pay For farther Security King Ferdinand asked of King Peter the Aragonian his Daughter Ellenor in Marriage and Embassadors were sent on both sides to agree the Articles tho' that Lady was before betrothed to John the Eldest Son of King Henry The Princess was marryed by Proxy to our King at Lisbon the Aragonian Embassador representing her Person The Articles of Marriage were That she should bring 100000 Florins Portion That her Father should make War on Castile two Years That the Husband should give three Months Pay to 3000 Horse in his Father-in-law's Service Some Places in Castile were also allotted to the Aragonian for every Man gives freely of what he has not Soon after the Bridegroom that was to have been but never was sent a Rich Present to Barcelona for the Bride without expecting the Payment of the 100000 Florins He also sent Eighteen hundred weight of Gold to be coined to defray Charges there To Convoy the Bride seven beautiful Galleys were fitted out whereof that which was to carry her had her Sails of Silk wrought with Gold and all that was above Water was gilt The Rowers were cloathed in the King's Livery and many gallant Gentlemen went as Volunteers Among other things of value there was carried a Crown of inestimable price for the Bride D. John Alonso Tello Earl of Barcelos attended by the Bishops of Evora and Silves and the Abbot of Alcobaça went Embassadors and performed the Ceremony of marrying the Princess in his Masters Name But her Father put off the delivering of her till the Pope's Dispensation was obtained and times altering all came to nothing 3. King Ferdinand began the Wars in Galicia with a small Power Coruna and other Places voluntarily submitted to him Monterrey was taken by Force after it had made a vigorous Defence But understanding that King Henry drew near with numerous Forces Ferdinand went away by Sea to Porto leaving D. Nunno Freyre Master of the Military Order of Christ with 400 Horse in Coruna Alonso Gomez de Lira at Tuy and others in other Places 1369. Henry to bring our King to Peace Henry of Castile invades Portugal left them and entered Portugal burning all the Country as far as Braga where Lope Gomez de Lira made a vigorous Defence but was forced to abandon the Place after loosing 48 Men because he was not releived and the Town was not Walled nor Garisoned having Articled to Surrender if not releived by a certain time Henry finding the Place was not Tenable Burnt it and removed to Guemaraens which being better Fortified held out against him Seing he prevailed little by Force he thought to take it by Stratagem and to that purpose James Gonzalez de Castro got into the Place disguished like a Country-Man but being discovered was put to Death and his Body exposed to the Dogs Now it was that Count Ferdinand de Castro Brother-in-Law to King Henry carried about by him as a Prisoner made his Escape into the Town with his Keeper Ramiro Nunez and both went into the Portuguese's Service King Ferdinand who was then at Coimbra with a numerous Army with all speed made towards the Castilian sending before a
the Queen's Favourite and the said Master being appointed General of the Country betwixt the Rivers Tagus and Guadiana he marched Three Leagues from Lisbon whence suddenly returning with armed Men he rushed into the Place and there Murdered the Unhappy Count. The Queen when she heard it said He has died a Martyr and I will to Morrow in proof of it undergo the Trial of Ordeal Next she went to know of the Master whether she also must die and a civil Answer was returned to quiet her The Rabble raised by the clamours of one of the Master's Pages who cryed he would be killed in the Palace flocked thither and would certainly have destroyed the Queen had not D. John the Master of Avis looked out at the Window He seeing the Multitude on his side went away followed by them to the great Market called Recio to Dine with the Queen's Brother the Earl of Barcelos who was consenting to the Murder The Bishop of Lisbon was then also at Dinner at his House and with him the Prior of Guimaraens and a Notary of Silves They hearing the Tumult got up into the Belfrey where the People seeing them called out to have the Bells ring They not regarding to obey these Tumultuary Shouts the Rabble broke in and cast them headlong from the Tower then dragged them to the Market called Recio where they lay naked and exposed to the Dogs till the next Day D. John after Dinner went to Court to beg the Queen's Pardon for murdering the Count. She took little Notice of him but threatned the Kingdom with the Power of Castile yet fearing the Rabble she went away from Lisbon to Alenquer praying to God at her departure that she might see the City burnt 3. Don John fearing the Power of the Queen resolved to go away into England but the more this was rumoured the more the Multitude pressed him to stay and protect them against Castile He made some seeming opposition but was soon brought to comply A Council was named where it was resolved that D. John should marry Queen Ellenor for defence of the Kingdom and that if the King of Castile had ever a Son by Queen Beatrix the Government should continue in D. Jâ—â—n and the Queen till that Son came to Age. Here ceased all the Reproaches that had been cast upon the Queen who when this Overture was made to her rejected it with Scorn Nevertheless he was declared Protector of the Kingdom He is declared Protector of the Kingdom by the Commonalty in the Church of S. Dominick and because most of the Nobility were absent then they were summoned to meet in the Town-House where the chief of them being dubious what to do one Alonso Jannez a Cooper stept into the midst of them and laying his Hand on his Sword threatned such as should refuse their Consent and they fearing the Multitude consented to what had been done in the Church of S. Dominick Thus was D. John Master of Avis entrusted with the Government and Defence of the Kingdom His First Action that gained him Reputation was the Prudent Choice he made of Counsellors not according to Men's Quality but their Ability Next to secure many of his Party he distributed a considerable Treasure belonging to those that followed the Queen or sided with Castile amongst them and promised a general Pardon for all Crimes but Treason not considering that the only Treason was to support him 4. The Queen began to think herself in Danger at Alenquer The Castle of Lisbon taken by the Protector and therefore leaving Vasco Perez de Camoens Governour there she went away to Santarem Here Nunno Alvarez Pereyra who had been Educated by her forsook her and went away to Lisbon where he was admitted into the Council of State D. John Alonso the Queen's Brother was Governour of the Castle of Lisbon and Martin Alonso Valente was within as his Lieutenant Alonso Yannez Nogueira got in with some Men sent by the Queen to Re-inforce the Garrison These refusing to deliver up their Trust to the New Protector they were Besieged and the Assailants threatning to Sacrifice their Wives and Children before their Faces if they held out they surrendred the Place The Nobility who opposed D. John called the Commonalty that followed him The People of the Messiah because they seemed to Adore him And the Rabble termed them Schismaticks and Traitors Several Places then in the Hands of the Nobility were easily wrested from them by the Commonalty as Beja Portalegre Evora and others Now the Rabble being uppermost began throughout the Kingdom to commit the most execrable Villanies Barbarities of the rebelliouâ— Rabble under the Pretence of defending their Country It was an unpardonable Offence even to name Castile And the Lady Joanna Perez Ferreyrim Abbess of the Monastery of Castres seeing a Man ill used for that pretended Crime modestly reproved their Cruelty but such was their Rage that tho' she fled into the great Church and embraced the Sanctuary in which the Holy Sacrament is kept there they gave her several Wounds then dragging her from the Altar tore off her Vail next they cut off her Coats so high as modesty forbids to utter which done she was dragged into the Market and there hewed in pieces Lastly the Body was dragged to the Place where they shut up the Cattle and left there till some Charitable Body buried it by Night To compleat this Sacrilege they returned to the Monastery designing to Murder all the Nuns but they withdrew themselves from their Fury 5. Queen Ellenor seeing her self in manifest Danger Queen Elenor flies to Castile fled to her Son-in-Law the King of Castile who espoused his own Quarrel in her The First thing he did was to secure Prince John Son to the Lady Agnes de Castro by that means to cut off the Hopes the Portuguese might have of a lawful Successor But the Portuguese ceased not to Encourage D. John to proceed in the Defence of the Kingdom and he the more to try them seemed doubtful and spread some Reports as if he would depart the Countrey But finding an inclination in the Multitude towards Prince John the more to exasperate them against Castile he caused a Standard to be made in which that Prince was drawn to the Life loaded with Chains The Protector his contrivances to Usurp the Crown which being carried about the City enraged the People against the King of Castile Thus pretending to Revenge the Wrong done to the Prince he gained the means of Establishing himself in the Throne and stirred up all the Kingdom to defend it self against Castile The Commonalty every where took his Part but not the Nobility Yet he believing he could not prevail without Forreign Aid asked it of Richard King of England at the same time perswading the Duke of Lancaster to assert the Right he had to the Crown of Castile by his Wife The Embassador's Proposals were admitted and much Money advanced to them
for the Expence of the War with which and some good Troops they returned The Earl of Gijon bastard-Bastard-Brother to the King of Castile and Elizabeth his Wife Bastard-Daughter to the late King of Portugal were both secured in Castile on Account of holding Correspondence in Portugal The King and Queen of Castile removed from Puebla de Montalvan to Toledo where against their being proclaimed Standards were made with the Arms of both Kingdoms And now it was debated in Council whether Portugal ought presently to be invaded The wiser sort were for trying all obliging Methods First but the hotter Youths allowed of nothing but force of Arms and this Advice as followed 6. The King marched to the City Guarda which was delivered to him by the Bishop but Alvaro Gil Governour of the Castle would not Surrender The Towns of Cerolico The King of Castile invades Portugal Bedado and Linhares were also put into his Hands Some other Places submitted conditionally that the King should fulfil the Articles of Marriage Queen Ellenor sent to perswade the King to proceed and meet her at Santarem Several Places submitted themselves to him in his way and being come to Santarem the First Resolution of Queen Ellenor was to request he would revenge the 〈◊〉 done to her The K. answered he could not 〈…〉 quarrel unless she would resign up the 〈…〉 which she accordingly did and then they 〈…〉 Town Here the King took 〈…〉 On the right side of the Royal 〈◊〉 were the Arms of Castile and Leon and on the left those of Portugal The Royal Seal ran thus John King of Castile and Leon of Portugal of Toledo c. Money was also coyned after that manner Many of the Nobility adheared to the King of Castile and he was possest of the best Part of the Kingdom but the Multitude generally was inclined to the Bastard D. John Master of the Order of Avis The King of Castile sent D. Peter Fernandez Cabeça de Vaca with 1000 chosen Horse and a proportionable number of Foot to invest Lisbon These Troops being advanced as far as Lumiar John Fernandez Moreyra engaged them with a small Party but was himself Killed with some others many Prisoners were taken and the rest fled And now D. John the Protector marched out to meet the Enemy but they not expecting his coming fled in great disorder to Alenquer and Tâ—rres Vedras leaving all behind them 7. At First the Castilians behaved themselves modestly at Santarem but after a few Days they turned the Inhabitants out of their Houses pillaged them and abused their Wives and Daughters and there being no redress the Town began to be abandoned The Office or chief Rabbi among the Jews being vacant Queen Ellenor begged it of the King for one Man and he gave it to another recommended by his Wife Queen Beatrix This repulse and their different Humours set Queen Ellenor at Variance with the King The King of Castile and Queen Ellenor at Variaâ—â—â— and she now repented her calling him in and resigning the Government into his Hands in so much that she advised many of her Followers to go over to the Master of Avis telling them he was their Natural Lord. The King and Queen went away to Coimbra which City had promised to receive them yet when the King was Quartered in a Monastery without the City A Conspiracy against the King of Castile discovered they refused to admit him Here a Conspiracy was laid to Convey Queen Ellenor into the City and Murder the King This Design was betrayed by a Jew some of the Conspirators fled and Queen Ellenor was sent Prisoner to the Monastery of Tordesillas near Valladolid As soon as the News of Queen Ellenor's imprisonment was brought the Town of Alenquer revolted to the Protector but the King being Re-inforced marched to Besiege Lisbon At Aruda 40 Portuguese hid themselves in a great Cave and Fire being applied to it most of them died Two hid themselves in the House where the King Quartered designing to Murder him but being discovered were Hanged Many Places in the Province of Alentejo held for the Protector and sent to him for one to Command over them he sent Nâ—nho Alvarez Pereyra with an absolute Power who having visited some Places of his Charge and hearing that a great Body of Castilians was upon their March to Besiege the Town of Frontera he hasted with a much smaller number to releive that Place His Men knowing how much more numerous the Enemy was at First refused to follow him but being encouraged by his Resolution they gave the Charge and put the Castilians to the Rout killing many and among them several Persons of Note This done he took Aronches by Force and Alegrete was surrendred to him 8. The Protector understanding that a mighty Fleet was coming from Castile ordered the Archbishop of Braga to over-see the Equipping of his Vessels Lisbon Besieged by Sea and Land which performed with great industry so that Twelve Galleys some Galliots and Seven Ships were fitted out The King of Castile spread his Army about Lisbon where one of his Parties approaching to S. Augustin's Gate was defeated by 200 Horse that Sallied out of the City About the end of May 13 Galleys and 40 Ships of Castile appeared in the River of Lisbon The King drew nearer to the City and encamping at the Foot of Mount Olivet wasted the Country then encompassing it on all sides resolved to Starve it In the mean while a considerable Fleet was setting out at Porto for the relief of Lisbon and the King having notice thereof with the Advice of his Commanders resolved to give the Enemy Battle in the River The Portuguese Fleet consisted of 17 Galleys and as many Ships which entred the River in this order First 5 Ships then the 17 Galleys and after them the other 12 Ships The Portuguese Fleet stops up the River to Lisbon The Castilians furiously assailed the 5 Ships where they met with a most vigorous Opposition yet they took 3 of them but whilst they were intent upon them the rest of the Portuguese slipped by and got safe up the Harbour Soon after the King's Fleet was re-inforced by several Vessels so that now it consisted of 60 Ships and 17 Galleys besides Carracks which made the Protector lay aside all thoughts of engaging 9. The Fort of Almada opposite to Lisbon after enduring great extremities for want of Water was at length Surrendred to the King who entred into that Place on the 1st of August 1384. At this time Ruy Freyre and others discovered to the Protector a Design of betraying the City to the Castilians carried on by D. Peter de Castro Son to Count Alvaro Perez and his Accomplices who were all apprehended Many also deserted to the King and among them D. Alonso Enriquez who at Coimbra had plotted to convey away Queen Ellenor Hunger now began to pinch in Lisbon and was hard to be remedied but that at the
Covillan to Cananor Calicut Goa Sofala Mozambique Quiloa Mombara and Melinde then returned to Adem and Grand Caire where his Companion and he had appointed to meet but the other being dead he returned again to Adem thence to Ormus and then traversed Abissinia being the first Man that ever performed those Travels Christopher Columbus offer'd his Service to King John but not being encouraged by him he discovered the West Indies for King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth of Castile and Aragon CHAP. IX The first Part of the Life and Reign of Emanuel the First of the Name and Fourteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1469 till 1509. 1. THough the late King John laboured all that in him was to have left the Crown to his Bastard-Son George yet neither the Queen nor the Subjects would consent because Duke Emanuel had a most undoubted Title to it King Emanuel his Birth and Descent This Emanuel was Son to Prince Ferdinand Grandson to King Edward and Great Grandson to King Alonso V. and Cousen German to his Predecessor King John whose undoubted Heir he was that King leaving no lawful Issue He was born in the Town of Alconchete 1469. in the Province of Riba Tejo upon Thursday the last Day of May being the Feast of Corpus Christi His Mother being in Labour was delivered of him just at the time that the Blessed Sacrament passed by her Door and therefore she called him Emanuel the proper Name of Christ which signifies God is with us During his Infancy Emanuel was one of the Hostages between the King of Castile and King John the Second The very Day King John killed James Brother to this Emanuel 1â—â—4 he gave him all the other's Estate only changing the Title from Duke of Viseo to that of Beja He also constituted him Master of the Order of Christ Constable of the Kingdom and General of the Frontiers betwixt the Rivers Tagus and Guadiana so that his Revenue amounted to above 70000 Crowns per Annum which was very great in that Age and that Kingdom 〈◊〉 His Family was encreased when he went the second time into Castile to conduct the Princess Elizabeth Wife to Prince Alonso into Portugal King John as is said King Emanuel 〈…〉 dying without any lawful Issue and not able to prevail for his Bastard-Son George Emanuel was proclaimed King with the usual Solemnity upon 〈◊〉 the 27th of October 1495 and in the 26th Year of his Age. 2. The New King went away to 〈…〉 â—uevo where James 〈…〉 Prior of Crato presented to him George King John's Bastard-Son whom he received favourably and treated as if he had been his own Here the Cortes or Parliament met but did little Business as well by reason of the Plague as for that King John had left all Things in good Order After sending Embassadors to Rome and Castile the King gave the Tenth of all his Revenues in Africk to the Churches there and reinforced those Garrisons At Setuval came to him the Sons of the late Duke of Bragança 1496. executed by King John their Unkle D. Alvaro and D. Sancho Son to Alonso another of that Duke's Brothers who were all restored to their Estates He now sent another Embassador to Rome to obtain the Pope's Dispensation for Knights of the Military Orders to marry which was granted At Torres Vedras whither he fled from the Plague he received Embassadors from the State of Venice Jewâ— banished the Kingdom The Jews whom King John had made Slaves in great Numbers had now Liberty to depart the Kingdom and though they offer'd the King a Present of a considerable Summ of Money he would not accept it A time was set for them all to depart and it was order'd that they should leave behind them all their Children that were under Fourteen Years of Age. Many of them rather than deliver their Children to be bred up Christians 14â—7 murdered them and some there were that killed themselves as well as their Children The time of their Departure being put off they offer'd if their Children were restor'd them and Twenty Years allowed them in which they could not be punished for Offences against Religion that they would become Christians This granted the greatest part of them was Baptized the rest were sent over into Africk together with the Moors then also expelled but these were allowed to carry their Children with them Those that remained in Portugal committed many Enormities in contempt of the Christian Religion and becoming Rich had the Opportunity of corrupting all the Nobility of the Kingdom by mixing their Families 3. At 〈◊〉 the King had it debated in Council 〈…〉 whether the Discovery of India ought to be prosecuted or not and after much contesting it was resolv'd in the Affirmative Vasco de Gama was thereupon piâ—ched upon to command Four Ships designed for that Voyage The Particulars of his Success may be seen in the first Vol. of the Portuguese Asia The King by his Embassadors having concluded a Match for himself with Elizabeth Emanuel marries Elizabeth Widow of the late Prince Alonso Princess of Castile Widdow of the Late Prince Alonso of Portugal in the Month of October she was brought to Valencia de Alcantara where King Emanuel waited for her Presently after the King and Queen were married came the News of the Death of John Prince of Castile Brother to the new Queen and Heir of that Kingdom New Charters were now given to all the Cities and Towns of Portugal which were all contained in Five Books One of each Province About the end of the Year the Queen being with Child Embassadors came from Castile to induce the King and her to go into Castile to be sworn Heirs to that Crown The King took the Advice of the Cortes or Parliament therein 1498. and it was resolved he should go On the 29th of March they set forwards with a small Retinue not exceeding 300 Horse All this Company was in Mourning for the Prince of Castile The Duke of Medina Sidonia met them at Badajoz with a Retinue somewhat less Soon after the Duke of Alva and Count de Feria with a like Number King Ferdinand came out of Toledo to receive them and they were entertained with extraordinary Magnificence On the 28th of April King Emanuel and his Queen were sworn Heirs of Castile in the Cathedral Church This Ceremony being over they travelled towards Zaragosa to be there sworn to the Succession of Aragon They entred that City on the first of June where many Disputes arose concerning the Privileges of that Kingdom On the 24th of August the Queen of Portugal was delivered of a Son and died before she could be laid in her Bed She was buried in the Church of St. Hierome without any Pomp because she had so ordered it in her Will 4. King Emanuel returned to Portugal 〈…〉 Aragonâ— and Portugal and was received at Lisbon with great Joy in
〈◊〉 Hâ— now understanding that his Son Michael born of 〈…〉 Queen had been sworn Heir of the Crowns of 〈◊〉 and Aragon resolvâ—d to have him sworn in like manner in Portugal To this purpose he assembled the 〈◊〉 or Parliament at Lisbon on the 7th of March where all the Representatives took an Oath to him as lawful Successor 〈◊〉 the King confirming his former Grant that no Castilians should at any time be admitted to Places of Honour and Trust in Portugal About the end of this Year which was the 4th of his Reign the King resolved to translate the Body of King John his Predecessor from Silves where he was buried to the stately Church of Batalla the burial Place of the Portuguese Princes He went in Person to Silves and found the Body whole as it was seen Fifteen Years after by the Cardinal Henry and others which confirmed the Opinion of Sanctity that was conceiv'd of him The Body was honourably conducted to the Church of Batalla and there laid in a Marble Tomb. This Year also the King dispersed several sorts of new Coins of Silver and Gold as he did again in the Years 1504 and 1517. He had before given large Revenues to George the late King's Bastard-Son and this Year 1500 gave him the City Coimbra with the Title of Duke made him Lord of Montemayor â—l Viejo and bestowed on him the Mastership of the Military Orders of Santiago and Avis Next he married him to the Lady Beatrix de Villena Daughter to D. Alvaro the Brother of Ferdinand Duke of Bragança Beheaded by King John 5. Now came the News that Prince Michael 〈…〉 King Emanuel's Son and sworn Heir of all the Kingdoms of Spain had departed this Life at Granada being not yet Two Years of Age. It was requisite the King should marry again 〈…〉 and a Match was accordingly concluded with Mary Daughter to King Ferdinand and Sister to King Emanuel's late Queen Her Portion was 200000 Crowns down and 10000 a Year settled upon the Revenue of Sevil. The Archbishop D. James Hurtado de Mâ—raâ—za conducted her to the Borders where the Duke of Bragança attended by several of the Nobility 〈◊〉 her The Marriage was solemnized at Alcacer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the 30th of October No sooner was the King married but he resolved to make an Expedition into 〈◊〉 in Person 〈…〉 and to that effect had assembled an Army of 26000 Men. The Venetians at this time hard 〈◊〉 by the Turks made use of the Pope's Mediation to obtain of our King to desist from the Enterpize he had in Hand and to employ his Forces in their Assistance The King consented and sent them Thirty Saâ—l under the Command of D. John de Meneses Son to the Earl 〈…〉 and for his Encouragement before his Departure he was created Earl of â—â—rouça In this Squadron were 3500 fighting Men. Another Squadron followed being designed for the Coast of Oran in order to attempt taking the Fort of Mazalquivir They sailed from Lisbon about the middle of June and having assaulted that Place in July with the loss of 20 Men and no prospect of Success the Squadron provided for that Expedition returned to Lisbon D. John de Meneses with his 30 Sail off of Tunez took 3 Genoese Ships full of Turks Moors and Jews the Genoese he set at liberty Near Corfu he was met by Twenty five Venetian Galleys and five Galleons where both Fleets saluted each other with great Joy The Turks understanding the Fleets were joyned retired to their Ports and the Portuguese Squadron returned home 6. The King had yet reaped no Advantage from India 〈…〉 but the bare Discovery of it by Vasco de Gama and yet as if the Treasures of that Empire had been brought him he in Thanksgiving laid the Foundation of that wonderful Structure of the Church and Monastery called Bâ—â—eâ— or Betâ—lem on the Banks of Tagus about a League from Lisbon This Fabrick is Magnificent for its Greatness and Workmanship but above all for the largeness of the Arch above the Chancel where after the manner of all Cathedrals it opens into a Cross which Arch tho vastly spacious has no Pillar to support it This Monastery was given to the Fryars of the Order of S. Hierome and is plentifully endowed Opposite to the Monastery in the very River the King erected a Fort which tho not large is Beautiful and Commands the River serving at the same time for a Rampart to the Church it is called the Fort of S. Vincent D. Jayme or James Duke of Bragança who was restored to that Honour by King Emanuel laboured under such a deep melancholy that he sometimes forbore taking his natural Sustenance Nevertheless through the King's Perswasions he married the Lady 〈◊〉 Daughter to D. John de Guzman third Duke of Mâ—diâ—â— Sidonia But no sooner was he married than he absented himself with only one Servant leaving a Letter for the King in which he begged of him to bestow all his Possessions upon his Brother Denis because he was resolved to spend his days at the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem Messengers were sent several ways with orders to bring him back Some of them found him at Calatayud in the Kingdom of Aragon and prevailed upon him to return Being brought back he had by his Wife a Son called Theodosius who succeeded him and a Daughter named Elizabeth married to Prince Edward Son to King Emanuel His first Wife dying he fell in Love with the Lady Joanna de Mendoza Daughter to the Governour of Mouram and having obtained leave of the King married her and by her had Four Sons and as many Daughters 7. Queen Mary 1502. second Wife to King Emanuel was delivered of her first Son on the 6th of June 1502. The Queen delivered of a Son At the time of his Birth happened a violent Storm of Rain and when he was Baptized a Fire broke out in the Palace we shall see in his Life what these Prodigies portended A Fleet sailed from Lisbon under the Command of George de Melo and Gaspar de Aguilar designing to take the City Targa on the Coast of Africk but returned having sustained Loss and effected nothing The King for the Success of his Fleet undertook a Pilgrimage to Santiago in Galicia presented that Church with a rich Silver Lamp made in the Form of a Castle and gave Bountiful Alms. In his return at Coimbra he resolved to erect a stately Tomb for Alonso the first King of Portugal whose Body lay there in a very mean Sepulchre At Porto he finished the Silver Shrine of S. Pantaleo 1503. Patron of that City The King had now a second time resolved to pass over into Africk A Famine in Portugal and had all things in readiness for the Expedition when he was again prevented being obliged to attend to the Relief of his own Kingdom labouring under a Famine He remedied this Evil by bringing in Plenty of Corn from all the
against him under the Command of the Renowned Edward Pacheco who after a sharp dispute near Cape Finisterre sunk one of the Pirate's Galleons and took the other three Mondragon was presented to the King who freely forgave him CHAP. X. The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of Emanuel the First of the Name and Fourteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1510 till 1521. 1. NOthing remarkable happened the Year 1510 1510. but that many Moors and Hords of Arabs along the Coast of Africk submitted themselves to King Emanuel 1511. and became his Tributaries The following Year threatned a Breach between Castile and Portugal because King Ferdinand fitted out a Fleet at Malaga with Design to invade the Portuguese Conquests The Pope calling upon him for Succour against the French obliged him to desist from that Enterprize Nevertheless that Faithless King as if his Designs had not been known solicited King Emanuel to joyn with him against France and highly resented that he Courteously entertained a French Squadron in his Ports Henry the 8th King of England who had married Katherine Sister to the Queen of Portugal King Emanuel receives the Order of the Garter from King Henry the Eighth of England now sent King Emanuel the Garter having received him into that most Noble Order On the last Day of January was born at Lisbon Prince Henry the King 's Seventh Son a mighty Snow falling just before his Birth which is a thing rarely seen in Lisbon We shall have more occasion to speak of him hereafter when he ascends the Throne Alonso King and Apostle of Congo this Year sent his Son Henry and his Brother Emanuel 1512. with many Young Noblemen into Portugal to be instructed in the Christian Faith Henry Son to the King of Congo comes into Portugal With them came Peter that King's Cousin whom he sent as his Embassador to Rome to submit him and his Kingdom to the Pope King Emanuel sent the Black Prince Henry with the Embassador they arrived at Rome the following Year where they were courteously received and dismissed by Leo the Tenth 1513. then sitting in 8. Peter's Chair 2. D. Alvaro de Castro The King punishes his Lord Steward for his cruelty to a Servant was Lord Steward of the Houshold and in great Favour He finding a Servant of his own whom he had turned away talking with a Slave in his House caused him to be so cruelly lashed that all his Body was but one continued Sore The Servant putting nothing on but his Cloak came into the King's Presence where letting it fall he said Ecce Homo Your Lord Steward has done this to me only for talking to one of his Slaves The King astonished at this Barbarity immediately sent Andrew Perez Landin his Clerk of the Closet to acquaint D. Alvaro that he deprived him of his Charge ordered he should remain a Prisoner in his House till farther order and pay 500 Crowns to that Man D. Alvaro's Kindred came to the King to intercede for him but finding the King implacable they went away Discontented and returned not to Court whereupon the King ordered the Two Sons of D. Alvaro to be struck out of his Books At last upon the humble Application of D. Alvaro's Wife he was sent for to Court severely reprimanded and then pardoned Last Year began the Preparations and now was fitted out a Fleet of above 400 Sail 1514. carrying 18000 Foot and 2600 Horse all under the Command of Jayme or James Duke of Bracança He sailed from Lisbon about the middle of August and landing on the 28th of the same Month in Africk Azamor on the Coast of Africk taken took the City Azamor Those of Tite and Almedina being abandoned by the Inhabitants he also possessed himself of with ease Then having ravaged the Country without any opposition he returned to Lisbon The Particulars of this Expedition properly belong to the Portuguese Africk 3. King Emanuel resolving to Dedicate to God Presents of the First Fruits of India sent to the Pope the First Fruits of India thought the shortest way was to present them to the Pope his Vicegerent With this Present he sent Three Embassadors the chief whereof was Tristan da Cunha with a most magnificent Retinue The Present consisted of an Elephant covered with Cloth of Gold and governed by an Indian a Persian Horse with rich Furniture a Panther that would Hunt and was at Command like a Dog and a whole Suit of Vestments for all occasions all of Cloth of Gold so thick Embroidered with Pearls and precious Stones that the Ground of it could not be discerned The whole was valued at 500000 Crowns Bernardin Freyre and Francis Pereyra Pestana arriving now from India the King caused them to be cast into Prison being informed how unworthily they had treated Mathew Embassador from Ellen Grand-Mother of David Emperor of Ethiopia and Regent of that Empire during her Grand-Son's Minority There they remained till the said Embassador interceded for them He was an Armenian Christian Judicious Learned and Bold The King received him with Respect and by him a Letter from the Empress Five Medals of Gold and a great Cross made of the Wood of that our Saviour suffered upon and kept in a Gold Case In her Letter the Empress offered her assistance towards forwarding the King's undertakings in Asia and desired since they were both Christians that their Families might be allyed by mutual Marriages that so they might be the better enabled to destroy the Turks 1515. and Moors The King 's Eighth Son born in those Parts On the 7th of September 1515 was born at Lisbon Edward the King 's 8th Son of whom more at the end of this Chapter Embassadors were sent to Castile 1516 to condole with Queen Germana upon the Death of her Husband King Ferdinand and to Flanders to Charles afterwards the 5th of that Name Emperor to offer him Elizabeth Daughter to King Emanuel in Marriage and ask his Sister Ellenor for Prince John This Year ended with the Birth and Death of Mary Emanuel's Ninth Child 4. Prince Antony 1517. the King 's Tenth Child was born at Lisbon Birth of the King 's tenth Child on the 9th Day of September He lived but a few Days and left his Mother so Weak that she died the 7th of March following of an Impostume in her Bowels The Queen dies being but 35 Years of Age. She was generally lamented being extreamly beloved for her Fruitfulness her great Love to the King her liberality to the Poor her Devotion Affability Modesty Piety Industriousness in the good spending her Time and special care of Instructing her Children As to Features she was neither beautiful nor deformed She founded the Monastery of S. Hierome in the Berlings and lies buried in the Church of Belem Before the Queen's Death the King put an Elephant and a Rhinoceros together to see the manner of their
Fifth and Elizabeth Prince John Marries Joanna Daughter to Charles the Fifth the Prince's Aunt and her Portion settled at 360000 Ducats the Duke of Aveyro and the Bishop of Coimbra went with a numerous and splendid Retinue to receive her upon the Frontiers She came to Elvas about the end of November At Barreyro the King met and conducted her thence to Lisbon where a few days after she was marryed to the Prince to the general Joy of all the Kingdom hoping a numerous Issue from them But all Humane hopes are vain for the Prince died the Second of January following 1554. His Distemper was an inward consuming Fever Prince John dies which being supposed to proceed from too much use of his Wife she was removed from him to the Queen's Apartment There the Prince's Death was kept from her knowledge the King visiting her without Mourning The Princess was left with Child and on the 19th of January brought forth a Son The Princess delivered of a Son who was called Sebastian The Princess being out of danger was acquainted with the Death of the Prince and went into strict Mourning She would have cut off her Hair in token of Sorrow but the King would not permit it Being one Night in Bed with her Husband there appeared to her a Woman in Mourning who giving one blast vanished as if she had foretold all her Delights would vanish into Air. Other Nights she perceived the Lights in her Chamber put out without seeing any Body to do it Twice being at a Window with her Ladies she saw many Men cloathed after the Moorish Fashion with Torches in their Hands cast themselves into the River All these were looked upon as unhappy Omens of the Prince's Death and other Calamities that ensued 4. Prince Philip of Spain Brother to the Widow Princess being upon his Departure for England to marry Mary the Heiress of that Crown by his Embassadors desired of King John that he would suffer the Princess to return to Spain to Govern that Kingdom In May the Princess set forward from Lisbon The Princess Governs Spain attended by Prince Lewis as far as Arroyolos where he delivered her to the Duke of Bragança who conducted her to the Borders of the Kingdom and there gave her up to the Bishops of Osma and Badajoz and to D. Garcia de Toledo who was Lord Steward She Governed Spain with Discretion and Founded a Monastery and Hospital in Madrid This Summer sailed from Lisbon D. Peter da Cunha with Five Ships and Four Galleys to Guard the â—â—ast of Algarve Being in the Bay of Tavira An Engagement he discovered the famous Turkish Pirate Xaramet Arraez with Eight Galleys D. Peter gave orders to engage them but the Ships not being able to come up for want of Wind he engaged with only his Four Galleys The Admiral Galleys attacked one another and at first the Portuguese had the worst whereupon the Turks boarder her but were beaten out and Fortune changing D. Peter took the Turk The other Three Christian Galleys boarded as many of the Infidels whereof they took two and sunk the Third The remaining Turkish Galleys seeing these lost fled Of the the Turks 150 were killed and 100 taken 230 Christian Slaves were released and 40 Portuguese perished Two Portuguese left ashoar when the Galleys went out to meet the Enemy swam aboard with their Swords in their Mouths D. Peter returned Victorious to Lisbon where he maintained the Turk his Prisoner till he was exchanged for a Turk who turning Christian was called Peter Paul and had behaved himself so well that the Command of the Galley was given him but he being taken by the Infidels and carried to Mazagam had certainly been put to Death but was spared only upon Account of Xaramet for whom he was exchanged 5. On the the 27th of November 1555 1555. died Prince Lewis the Delight of Portugal Prince Lewis dies and a Person of singular Learning Judgment Courage Generosity and Piety He went twice into Castile once to agree with the Emperor about reducing the King of France to forbear trading in the Portuguese Conquests which he effected The Second time to Conclude a Peace betwixt the Emperor and King of France He built a stately Palace at Salvaterra but lived not to finish it The following Year the King settled the Rules of Precedency 1556. about which there had been great Contests ordering that all Titles should take place according to Seniority Now the Misfortunes of this Crown seem to be Compleat 1557. for the King died aged 55 Years The King dies when he was ripest for Government and left the Crown to Prince Sebastian then unfit for Rule as being but Three Years old He was suddenly snatched away yet not so but he had time to end his Life like a Christian He was of a mean Stature rather inclined to Fat than Leanness his Complexion ruddy his Eyes dark Blew but lively In matters of Justice he always inclined most to Mercy was a great lover of Peace made an excellent choice of Ministers and loved not to heap many Employments upon one Man In the Year 1553 he founded the University at Coimbra and afterwards with great charge brought Professors to it from Paris The Ancient Aqueduct built by Sertorius at Evora was by him repaired much was added by him to the Building of the Monastery of Belem by him also the Custome-House and Arsenals were erected as also the Churches of our Lady of Grace S. Francis and S. Rocque besides many other publick Works All the religious Orders were by him reduced to live up to the rigor of their Rules and Houses founded for all sorts of Women to retire to He instituted the Council of Conscience and that of the Military Orders No want ever prevailed with him to lay heavy Taxes on his Subjects Tho' he heard the Advice of many he always followed his own Opinion which was the Cause he often erred 6. To conclude King John proved an excellent Prince and singular Champion of the Catholick Religion His Children were as follows First Alonso who died a Child Secondly Mary First Wife to Philip the Second of Spain Thirdly Elizabeth Fourthly Beatrix Fifthly Emanuel Sixthly Philip. Seventhly Denis all which died young Eighthly John who married the Princess Joanna Daughter to the Emperor Charles the Fifth and died soon after Ninthly Antony who lived not out a Year His Bastard Issue was First Emanuel who died a Child Secondly Edward Archbishop of Braga a Prelate of Piety and Learning 7. In India Nunho da Cunha overthrew the King of Monbaça Actions abroad duing his Reign and slew him of Cambaya D. John de Castro with such wonderful Courage as rather seemed Rashness Engaging a vast Multitude at the Second Siege of Diu obtained one of the most wonderful Victories that raised the Renown of the Portuguese Valour Hector de Silveyra besides many other remarkable Actions subdued the King of
audience with his Mother and to assist in Council and was not at all averse to it so that tho' he did not quite forsake his vices yet he had not so much leisure to indulge them Conti was not at all displeased at these proceedings hoping this would be the means for advancing his Fortune and therefore lost no time or opportunity but plyed the King with immoderate suits for himself and his companions The first thing the King asked for him of his Mother was that he might be admitted into the order of Knighthood called of Christ which as she durst not absolutely refuse for fear of provoking her Son so she delayed granting it still putting him off from time to time with seveal excuses Conti perceiving her subtilty sailed not to press the King urging how unworthy his grandeur it was to be refused that which was in his power to take and by these and other insinuations so fiered his mind that at length he forced the Queen to condescend to all that was asked for him Being thus raised from the degree of a Merchant to that of a Minister of State not only the meaner sort made application to him in their Suits but even the Nobility had recourse to him in matters of moment least his interest should thwart their designs nay even the Queen herself tho' contrary to her haughty inclination refused not to truckle to his greatness fearing she could not maintain her Authority by opposing him But he knowing all this Courtship was Feigned used Art against Art shewing a good countenance to all yet at the same time arming himself against all Emergencies To this purpose he began to make a party in the Court introducing instead of the experienced Nobility all the youth into places of honour and preferring some of mean parentage till the Queen fearing least the increase of his party should prove her downful began openly to oppose him Thus the Court was divided into factions some siding with the King others with the Queen and others adhering to Neither Conti ceased not to blow the Coles but his chief aim was to perswade the King to take upon himself the Government urging as the truth was Denis Alphonso the 5th and Sebastian Kings of Portugal took upon them the administration being yet younger than he That which most moved the King was that his Mother falling sick at this time the whole Court was made to him which gave him to understand what a diminution it was to his splendor and therefore he began to be inflamed with a desire of absolute command The Queen recovering and reasuming the care of the government found the King more intractable than he had been before as being wholly bent upon wresting the power from her by force if she should refuse to resign This was a deadly stroke to her ambitious Spirit which abhorred the thought of falling from that height wherein she had upheld herself for so many Years nor could she be without some care for the Kingdom if it were wholly left at the disposal of a wilful and unexperienced Youth beset with a croud of dangerous and unskilful favourites and Councellors Being perplexed and tormented with these thoughts she resolved to set up her Younger Son Peter against the King The Queen sets up the Infante against the King that so he in hopes of attaining the Crown through her means might be wholly at her devotion and at the same time Alphonso fearing to lose his right might be kept in awe Therefore to prepare the Infante who of himself was willing enough she perswaded him he ought to be declared Prince and Heir to the Crown alledging that his Brother was impotent and consequently the Kingdom must devolve to him For the Executing of this design she tampered with all the Nobility and Magistrates intending to call the Cortes or Parliament to confirm her resolution but finding it a matter of greater difficulty than she had expected most men abhorring to set up two Brothers as it were two King's to rend the Kingdom and destroy themselves and thinking it a rashness to condemn Alphonso as impotent before any proof were made of his Ability she desisted from the method but not from the design Her next practice then was to set out the Infante in the most splendid apparel to cause him to show himself often to the People to give him a Family composed of all such as were disaffected to his Brother and to put him into a house the best in Lisbon built by Christopher de Moura Marquess of Castelrodrigo Having thus set up the Infante in opposition to his Brother and secured him to herself her next artifice was to counterfeit a desire of quitting the regency and retiring into a Monastery of Nuns For this purpose she drew up a subtle writing intimating her pretended desire and yet so worded it that the great men and principal Ministers to whom she sent it for their advice soon saw into the depth of it which was that she desired to be as it were constrained to continue the Regency yet so as she must be drawn to condescend by the removal of Antony Conti and the rest of his party from about the King Those to whom the writing had been communicated being all her creatures The Council combine with the Queen and fearing least if she were suffered to abandon the government they should by the King be deprived of the preferments they enjoyned resolved not to forsake her least they should be involved in her fall Therefore by writing they gave her to understand that tho' she were resolved to lay down the administration of the Kingdom it was not yet time to do it till she had removed from the Person of the King those that seduced and led him into ill courses Nothing could be more pleasing to the Queen than this answer so pat to her purpose since they had fulfilled all her wishes without obliging her to express them However that all might seem to be carried by the advice of the Council knowing they were all resolved to perform her will she would have nothing done but what should be there discussed and given under their hands The Councel met accordingly and tho' some of the gravest among them opposed the design as too visible an affront to the King yet it was carried The faction seize Conti the Kings favourite in the King's appartment and send him to Brazil that Conti and his adherents should be seized and sent into banishment contrary to the will of the King for this Council sat not to serve him but his Mother In pursuance to this resolution the Queen having secured the King in her Lodgings upon pretence of business the Duke of Cadaval with his Party Entred the King's apartment where Conti then was He seeing a Throng and suspecting some danger locked himself in but the Duke without respect to the Sacredness of the place or to the Remonstrances of the Count de Castellomelhor who would have
India or some other remote parts of the World yet so that if he should make resistance or attempt to escape then he should be killed Many days passed not before the Count had intire Information of the whole Conspiracy against him and having layed it before the King he was by him impowered to use such means for their common Security as he should think most effectual He presently doubles the Guards at the Palace arms all his own Creatures set his Spies and stirs not out of the Palace without a sufficient Train and Guard for his Security This sudden change at Court alarm'd the City so that the People ran in heaps to the Palace for Information but finding that there was no interruption of publick Affairs nor any thing but the increase of the Guards they soon dispersed and returned to their Houses The Infante finding his project defeated to avoid all Suspition retired to his Country-House at Quelas Whilst he was there almost in despair for the great disappointment he had received a Discovery was made or pretended to be made for the certainty of it could never appear that the Count had hired People to poison him Hereupon his Partizans advise him to be very circumspect in securing himself and they on their part were not wanting in spreading abroad the danger they pretended him to be in Having thus prepared the Multitude and being sensible that the Count could not but study to secure himself by his downfal the Infante made instant application to the King to punish him according to the hainousness of the Offence he alledged To this effect he wrote to the King acquainting him that he was convinced the Count practised against his Life that therefore he demanded he should be banished from the Court or else that he himself should be forced to fly into Foreign parts for Safety Both the King and Count having read this Letter referred the whole matter to the Council of State There it was fully discussed one party affirming that it was a Presumption at one time to accuse the King's Favourite and assign his Punishment in such a manner as seemed to threaten the King himself that if the Count were justly accused he ought to be tryed according to the known Laws of the Kingdom and if convicted to be punished but that if it should appear he was wronged care ought to be taken least the Prince's aspiring practices should not be prejudicial to the King The other side on the contrary being devoted to the Infante's Interest urged all the plausible Reasons they could gather to shew that he ought to be complyed with Right or Wrong either in regard he was the King's Brother or for fear he might effect that by force which he could not obtain by Entreaty After conferring both Opinions they came to this Resolution That it should be put to the Tryal The King offers the Infante Satisfaction whether the Infante could be appeased by Submission and all manner of humble Application To this effect the Marquess of Marialva was sent by the King to acquaint the Infante that the Count was â—â—ady to come and beg his Pardon upon his Knees But he considering that to accept of this Submission would no way forward his End for that the Count would still remain at Court after two days delay sent back the Marquess with his Answer signifying that nothing but the Banishment of the Earl could satisfie him Alphonso hoping his Brother's Fury might abate in time delayed sending to him again for the present whereat he being the more enraged caused a Letter to be deliver'd to the King among other things threatning not to appear at Court as long as Coâ—nt Castelmelhor continued in it A Cabinet Council being called upon this second Billet some were for apprehending the Infante himself as now grown too dangerous others more moderate were only for securing his Family and Adherents and so leaving him naked This latter Advice was approved off but the Execution being delayed and Peter having received Intelligence thereof he stood upon his Guard arming all his Followers and promising to live and dye by them Next he summons the Counsellors of State The Council and Magistrates of Lisbon combine with the Infante and Magistrates of Lisbon who being met at his House he inveighed before them against the King his Brother and Count Castelmelhor impeaching him of Practices against his Life and desiring their assistance to be revenged of him since the King would not consent to his Banishment After having spoken to this effect he gave them the same in Writing to which they unanimously answer'd they would stand by him and support his Dignity to their utmost It is easie to conceive how much King and Count were concerned at this audacious proceeding The King fearing the faction offers to compound with the Infante which was an absolute usurpation upon the regal Authority for it was no less in the Infante to summon the Tribunals and in them it was not much less than Treason to obey the Summons but above all to ingage to stand by him Finding by this Tryal how great the strength of his Party was they resolved if possible to mollifie him and therefore the King sent to him to discover who were the Count's Accusers that so he might be proceeded against in due form of Law The Infante positively refused to discover the Evidence unless the Count were first removed from Court Alphonso put it to the Council and ablest Lawyers whether it were legal and beseeming the King's Dignity that the Count should be removed before the Witnesses were known and it was carryed by the Majority that the demand was unjust and unreasonable This their result under their Hands the King sent to his Brother at the same time sending away Expresses to the Commanders on the Frontiers and Sea-ports to suffer no Man to depart the Kingdom By these means the expectation of a Civil War which till then had gone no farther then Lisbon was spread abroad throughout the whole Kingdom The Infante advising with his Friends upon the result of the Council sent him by the King they came to this Resolution that in case his Majesty persisted in protecting the Count then Peter without his consent should speed into the Province beyond the Mountains where the Count of St. John had the command of the Forces which he should march to Lisbon and joyning with the multitude by open Force should constrain the King to comply with all his demands Having fixed this Resolution he sent the King a long Letter full of invectives against the Count and complaints that he could not obtain Justice concluding that his Majesty made more account of the Earl then of him and seeing both could not live together he had resolved to quit the Court. Upon what Account he intended to withdraw we have seen but just before not to submit to the King's Will but to force him to comply with his And though he pretended privately
imprisoned that for the better palliating that odious Action and involving the People as a party in it the Infante himself accompanyed by all the Nobility and Magistrates should put it in Execution that the King's confinement should be at first concealed till by spreading abroad several rumours the People were prepared to allow of it and lastly that either by Art or Threats the King should be obliged to sign an Act of Renunciation The Infante heads the multitude and sets upon the King and exâ—orts from him an instrument of Resignation to the end it might be thought the King had voluntarily given up the Government to his Brother All things being thus disposed at break of day the Infante repairs to the Palace attended by an infinite multitude There he set a Guard upon the King and having locked all the Doors that led to his Apartment he sent Antony Cavide to notifie to him that by the general consent of the Kingdom he was deprived of the Government and his Liberty and also by the most terrible Threats to extort from him the signing of the Instrument of Resignation prepared for him The unfortunate King seeing himself wholly in the power of his Enemies and fearing the utmost effects of their Malice signed the Instrument which was immediately made publick as a justification of the Treasonable Practice It contained in substance that he freely resigned the Government to his Brother Peter and his Heirs reserving only to himself Three Hundred Thousand Cruzados a Year with the Mansion House of the Family of Braganza A Cruzado is Four Hundred Reis of Portuguese Money and Three Thousand Reis is just Twenty Shillings English so that 300000 Cruzados makes the just Sum of 37500 l. Sterling But how well even this miserable Composition for a Crown was observed may appear by his being kept ever after a Prisoner with only a few Servants of no Note such as his Brother thought fit to allow him so that in all probability his Expence could not amount to the tenth part of that Summ. The unhappy King being thus dethroned The Cortes meet and made Prisoner the Cortes or Parliament summoned by him met soon after at Lisbon about the beginning of February 1668 to destroy him by his own Authority At first there were great Debates amongst them whether it were at all lawful to take an Oath to Peter as Regent and next Heir to the Crown or whether the Crown should also be transferred to him some doubting whether the first were justifyable and others more violent urging the latter ought to be done At last the Majority agreed to the setling the Regency and Succession upon Peter but were generally averse to his usurping the style of King thinking it enough that he who was judged unfit for Government was removed from the Helm Peter after having put it to the Vote whether he should assume the Crown finding his Pretension rejected endeavoured to have it believed he was averse from it But the Queen who intended to make him her Husband and could not endure to think of losign any part of her Title The Queen presses to have Peter declared King He is received as Regent or abating any thing of her Pride and being a Woman that knew not how to dissemble her Vanity urged the matter more home to the States who nevertheless decreed that he should exercise all the regal Power without assuming the stile The Controversie being decided there arose another which was whether the King should be allowed his Liberty or confined but in Conclusion it was determined he should undergo perpetual Imprisonment There had been a League offensive and defensive 1668. concluded betwixt France and Portugal Peace with Spain at the beginning of the Year 1667 against Spain by which the French were obliged to give the Spaniards a powerful diversion in Flanders which they performed with great Success After that some Overtures of Peace being made by the Spaniards the Portugueses began readily to give ear to them and though the French Ambassador pressed that the Negotiation might be in common with his Master as in justice according to the League betwixt them it ought to have been yet the Prince who now haâ—â— the Government more mindful of the peculiar Interest which was to secure the Power he had newly gotten then of what in Honour was due to France entered upon a separte Treaty of Peace with Spain His Majesty of Great Britain was the Mediator and in his Name the Earl of Sandwich assisted at the Conferences At length the Peace was concluded betwixt the two Crowns on the 13th of February 1668 and published 10th of March following This Peace was highly cryed up among the Rabble as an effect of the Government of the Prince when all Men plainly saw and were sensible that in reality the victories obtained by King Alphonso were the only motives that obliged the Spaniards to propose it and that the Overtures had been made while he was yet at the Helm which must have had as good a success had he remained time enough in the Throne to bring things to Perfection and perhaps he might have done it without the dishonour of abandoning his Confederates the French On the 13th of February 1668. the Chapter of the Cathredal of Lisbon with others they had culled out all prepared for the design pronounced the Marriage betwixt King Alphonso The Marriage of the King and Queen declared null and the Princess Mary Francis Elizabeth of Savoy null and that therefore both of them were left at Liberty to dispose of themselves Then the three Estates and Magistrates of Lisbon as they had been before directed moved the Prince and Princess that since the former Marriage was declared null they would consent to match together on pretence it was for the good of the Kingdom This they were moved to in regard they were unwilling to restore her Dower and the Parties were no less ready to consent to what themselves had before contrived and agreed betwixt themselves However tho' there had been care taken for the disanulling the former marriage by such persons as were wholly in the interest of the cause there was yet started a scruple that it was not Lawful to proceed to a new match especially with the Brother of the former husband without a dispension But the Prince though pretending only to comply with the Cortes had not been negligent in that Affair for not long after the Publication of the nullity arrived in Portugal the dispensation from the Cardinal of Vendosme the Popes Legate a Latere in France by which it appears the dispensation was granted by one that was a party interessed in the Affair and precedent to the sentence of nullity The Infante marries the Queen Upon these grounds they made no difficulty to proceed to the Nuptials the Ceremony whereof was performed at Alcantara by the Bishop of Targa Administrator of the Arch-Bishoprick of Lisbon on the 2d of April 1668. After
places among which were Braga Porto Chaves and Viseo all in Portugal The King of Cordova coming down suddenly with an Army took Viseo first and then Salamanca and so returned to Cordova refusing to give our King Battel who thereupon wasted all the Country of Toledo Then turning into Portugal he retook Viseo and had Coimbra yielded to him 9. It appears by a Grant of his to Sisenandus Bishop of Compostela that the Territories betwixt Duero and Minho and that called Tras os Montes or Beyond the Mountains were Desart from the first coming of the Moors till his time when he Peopled and made them fit to with stand the Enemy At this sametime the King continued the Structure of the stately Church of St. James the Apostle The Church of St. James the Apostle in Galicia Dedicated Seventeen Bishops were present at the Dedication of it above half of them were Portuguese Next by Order of Pope John the VIII the King held a National Council at Oviedo to provide for the Bishops that were Expelled from their Diocesses and erect the Bishoprick of Oviedo into an Archbishoprick after which the King again applied himself to Peopling of the Country 903. and was come as far as the River Tagus when he understood his own Sons conspired to depose him being encouraged by their Mother and some of the Nobility He voluntarily performed what they intended to extort from him The Christian Dominions divided betwixt the two Sons of King Alonso to D. Garcia he gave Oviedo Leon and Castile to D. Ordono Gallicia and Portugal Having resigned his Kingdoms he went in Pilgrimage to Santiago and at his return asked of his Son Garcia some Forces to make an incursion into the Moorish Territories which he performed successfully He entred into League with the Kings of France and Navarre to the latter he gave his Sister Vrraca in Marriage and married himself Ximena Daughter either of France or of D. Ynigo Ximenez Arista of Navarre His Sons were Garcia Fruela Ordonno Ramiro and Gonzalo who was Archdeacon of Oviedo He Reigned 48 Years died at Zamora 914 and was Buried at Astorga where his Tomb is still to be seen tho' the Body was translated to the Chappel of King Alonso the Chast in Oviedo where also lies his Wife Ximena 10. D. Garcia having wrested the Scepter out of his Father's hand Garcia has for his part Galicia and the North of Portugal enjoyed it but three Years Tho' he got the Crown by unlawful means he Governed well overcame Ayola Lord of Talavera and is said to have obtained other Victories he died at Zamora was Buried at Recasto of Oviedo and had been Married to the Lady Nunna His Brother Ordonno Succeeds him Daughter to the Count D. Nunno Fernandez de Amaya but left no-Issue His Brother Ordonno in his time Governed so much to the satisfaction of the People that after his Death he was unanimously allowed his Heir He had not only preserved the Conquests on this side Tagus but passing that River took the City Beja putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword which so terrified the Neighbouring People that they abandoned the Towns before he came near them Having received his Brother's Kingdom after some other exploits he returned into Lusitania and wasted all the Country along the River Guadiana Among other places he took the Castle called Alhaje where all the Treasure of the Moorish Kings lay as in a place inpregnable whereby he so humbled all the Infidels throughout Estremadura and as far as Algarve that they submitted themselves as tributaries to him after which he returned to Leon. No sooner was he gone but they encouraged by Abderramen King of Cordova revolted but King Ordonno speedily returning and ravaging the Country they as soon submitted themselves begging Pardon The chief of these were the People of Merida Badajoz and the Territories adjacent then so fruitful and plentiful of all things that thence came the name of Badajoz He twice overthrows the Moors being a corruption of Beled Aiz two Arabick words signifying The Land of Life King Ordonno hearing that Abderramen was marching towards him advanced to meet him and in a Battle near Talavera slew 25000 of his Men. This done he returned to Leon and applied the spoiles of the War to Building the great Church there Mean while Abderramen having drawn vast supplies out of Africk laid Siege to Santistevan de Gormaz but the King surprising him in the Night forced him with great Slaughter to fly back to Cordova Still the Moore recruits his broken Army and having wasted all the Country sits-down before the City Porto which was bravely defended by Count Hermenegildus Our King came to his relief and made a great Slaughter among the Besiegers 920. yet so that he was not assured of the Victory till the next day he found the Enemy had quitted the Field leaving their Tents Baggage and warlike Engines behind them Having obtained this Victory the King returned to Leon. 11. Early the next Year 921. Ambassadors came to Ordonno from the King of Navarre Ordonno vanquished by the Infidels recovers and spoiles their Country to crave aid against a great power of the Infidels He thought not enough to send but went himself in Person and Fortune here forsaking him was overthrown near Valdejunquera many Captives were taken by the Infidels among whom were the Bishops of Salamanca and Tuy and the Kings themselves escaped narrowly Our King grieved at this loss the following Year broke into the Moorish Territories driving all before him even to the Walls of the City Cordova which it was feared he would Besiege Having struck an universal Terror into his Enemies he returned to Zamora He had a Daughter called Ximena who falling in Love with a Courtier ran away with him carrying all her Jewels along with her and he left her on a Mountain having fulfilled his desires She travelled on and took up with a Farmer as his Servant from which he raised her to be his Wife The King long after Hunting that way lost himself and fell into this Cottage where he was entertained his Daughter making a sort of Puff-past she knew he loved and putting a Ring well known to him into it the Ring caused him to suspect somewhat and examining the matter he found that was his Daughter whom he forgave and preferred her Husband whose Name was Tello and the place of his aboad called Meneses Hence some will have the Family of Meneses to proceed others Write that this passage hapned to the Lady Teresa Sanchez bastard Daughter to King Sancho the First and Wife to D. Alonso Tellez de Meneses whom they esteem the Progenitor of this Family King Ordonno had three Wives the first Elvira whose Parentage is unknown by her he had D. Sancho D. Alonso D. Ramiro D. Garcia and D. Ximena The second was Aragonta of Galicia whom he is said to have put away suspecting she knew of the
sold to him upon Credit But it appears very fabulous that a King should part with a Kingdom upon so slender an Account The true Reason was the Rebellion of the People headed by the wicked Count. 8. King Ramiro III. Ramiro III succeeds under the Tuition of his Mother and Aunt succeeded his Father when he was but six Years of Age his Mother Queen Teresa and his Aunt Elvira the Nun managing the Government with such Prudence during his Minority that there was no Want of him to be perceived Besides there was then a Truce with Hiscen King of Cordova then but 11 Years of Age and under the Tuition of the famous Ahagis Surnamed Almanzor a most cruel Enemy to the Christians The Normans invade Galicia and are cut in pieces This Tranquility was disturbed by the Normans invading Galicia But the Count Gonzalo Sanchez falling upon them with a great Force left not one of them to carry the News of the Defeat At this time the City Coimbra was subject to the Kings of Leon and the Christians about it possessed their Lands in Peace After all things had thus remained quiet 7 or 8 Years 975. Alcoracis supposed to be King of Sevil broke into Lusitania with such a Power that the Christian Counts not able to withstand him fled from the Plains to the inaccessible Mountains The Barbarians destroying all the Country as they went passed even the River Minho and laid Siege to Compostela where the Plague so violently raged in their Army that few of them returned home 978. King Ramiro being come to Age he shewed himself so incapable of the Government Civil Broils that the Counts of Portugal and Galicia took Occasion to proclaim another King which was Bermudo Son to King Ordonno III by his Second Wife Elvira The King awaking at the News of this Rebellion met the Rebels 981. and a Battel was fought between them which lasted the whole Day Night parted the Armies and each returned home neither victorious nor overthrown In this Fight perished the Flower of the Spanish Cavalry that used to withstand the Moors Coimbra was not concerned in this Rebellion it then enjoyed Peace under Portuguese Governors The Chief who commanded all the rest was Count Gonzalo Moniz 9. The Civil Broils we have spoken of 983. encouraged the Moorish General Almanzor spurred on by the Fugitive Count D. Vela who had been expelled his Lands to break the Truce Many Places in Portugal taken and destroyed by the Moors Many notable Places in Portugal were again brought under by the Infidels and among them Coimbra Porto Braga and Britonium which was laid level with the Ground so that only the Memory of its Name remains The same Fate attended Lamego and Viseo in the Province of Beira The King adventuring to give the Moors Battel was overthrown and forced to retire to the Mountains being almost reduced to the miserable Condition that Pelayus or Pelagius had been when first Spain was over-run Count Garcia Fernandez Lord of Castile being persecuted by D. Vela and his Adherents always kept the Field against the Moores but being forsaken by the People of Leon was not able to prevent the Loss of many Places In Portugal only the small Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho and the Mountain-Country of Beira now adhered to D. Bermudo who still called himself King in Galicia To these Parts many great Men who before lived in the Territories of Coimbra withdrew themselves The unfortunate King thus thrust into a Corner by D. Bermudo on the one side 985. and by the Moors on the other died at Leon in the 33th Year of his Age and 28th of his Reign was buried in the Monastery of St. Michael of Distriana founded by his Grandfather King Ramiro II and 200 Years after translated thence by King Ferdinand to the Cathedral of Astorga He was married to the Lady Vrraca of whose Parentage we have no Account nor did she leave any Issue By his own Sister Ermesenda he had incestuously a Son called D. Sancho el Velloso or The Hairy CHAP. IX The Succeeding Kings from the Year 985. till 1037. with the coming of the Gascons into Portugal and their exploits against the Moores many places recovered by them and others from the Infidels 1. KIng Ramiro dying 985. D. Bermudo was left sole Possessor of the Crown Bermudo 〈◊〉 many places and 〈…〉 by Almanzor At the beginning of his Reign he wholly applied himself to the Government but soon after he became so entirely given up to his Vices and especially to incontinency that he was slighted by his Subjects 989. and became contemptible to his Enemies Almanzor laying hold of this opportunity and prompted by the fugitive D. Vela invaded again the Christian Territories and without any considerable opposition subdued all the Towns between the Rivers Dueâ—â— and Ezla Here King Bermudo came upon him so unexpectedly that he put his vast Army to the rout but Almanzor perceiving how disordered the Christians pursued rallying some of his scattered Forces changed the fortune of the Day and drove those that before were victorious to the Gates of Leon. That City had immediately fallen into the hands of the Infidels had not the matchless valour of Count William Gonzalez a Portuguese placed there Governour by the King defended it against the fury of the Infidels tho' the King then lying at Oviedo took no care to relieve the place In the year 996. 996 Almanzor again incamped before the same City resolving not to depart thence till he were Master of it Above a Year the Count held out against all the fury of Almanzor's Assaults and Batteries in so much that the Moore was about quitting the Siege and had certainly done it had the King either come or sent any Succour to the Besieged At length a great part of the Wall shaken with a continual Battery fell down and the Moores gave a furious Assault which obliged the Count tho' then sick in Bed to cause himself to be carried as he was to the Breach to give the necessary Orders and encourage his Soldiers Three whole days did he make good the Breach with great Slaughter of the Assailants till another Breach being made the Infidels broke in overpowering the Defendants All the Inhabitants were put to the Sword the City Plundered and laid level with the Ground The same fate attended Astorga which done Almanzor with his Army loaded with Booty returned to Cordova to Winder 2. Ataulphus Archbishop of Compostelâ— A strange trial of an 〈◊〉 Archbishop being wrongfully accused before the King he ordered him to be exposed to the fury of a wild Bull who coming to him instead of Tossing him upon his Horns left them both in his Hand which was a sufficient Testimony of that Prelates innocence Almanzor again broke out like a Torrent overturning all that the Christians had repaired of the former Ruins and destroying what was before
the King how he left his Brother in Servitude and tho he was the chief Cause of his falling into that Misfortune yet advised not to Ransom him at so dear a rate as by restoring Ceuta to the Infidels Those many Portuguese who escaped out of Africk most Wounded Naked and Starved Landing on the Coast of Spain in the dead of Winter found such extraordinary Charity in the Towns of Castile The Charity of the Spaniâ—â—ds 〈…〉 through which they travelled that I dare avouch they had not met the like in their own Country They were all bountifully Cloathed their Wounds dressed and Money liberallâ— bestowed upon them In every House they had the 〈◊〉 Beds given them and being well recovered were supplied with all they could desire to carry them home The King informed by these People of the charitable Entertainment they had found ceased not to extol the goodness of those who had shown such Favour to his Subjects and to express his Gratitude he sent Letters to Sevil and other Places of Andaluzia where his Subjects had been received full of Acknowledgments and Commendations and offering himself and his Kingdom ready to require them 5. The King before the News came of this Disaster was removed from Lisbon to Santarem flying from the Plague that then raged in that City The Plague at Lisbon Having Advice there of the danger his Forces were in at Tangier he made all possible Preparations to relieve them but too late for before any could set out part of the vanquished Fleet returned 14â—8 The following Year the King summoned the Cortes or Parliament to meet at Leyria He gave them in Charge to consider what was to be done concerning Prince Ferdinand left an Hostage to the Moors for the delivery of Ceuta Differences in the Cortes about the ransoming of Prince Ferdinand He produced a Paper written by that Prince signifying that Ceuta could not be maintained and therefore it was better to give it up then suffer it to be taken The Princes Peter and John with all the Commons voted that the Place should be delivered but the Archbishop of Braga said That a Christian Town could not be given away to the Infidels for one Man without the consent of the Pope Others were for deferring the Exchange for some time and in the mean while to offer a Summ of Money and all the Moors in Portugal which were many for the Prince and in Case this were not received that the Pope and Christian Princes should unite their Forces against Africk which if it could not be effected then Ceuta should be delivered 6. The King stood dubious amidst such variety of Opinions At length he resolved to have recourse to the Pope and all the Christian Princes believing they would all together assist him to ransom his Brother From them he received nothing but words of Comfort and Advice not to surrender Ceuta The Plague was now so diffused throughout the Kingdom that the King wandred from Town to Town Being on the way to Tomar a Letter was given him which he no sooner opened but the infection it brought seized him 14â—â— In that Town he diâ—â— on the 9th of September King Edward 〈◊〉 of the Plague in the 47th Year of his Age having reigned Five Years and near a Month. In his Will he ordained his Brother should be ransomed with Money but in Case that were refused then Ceuta should be given for him That his Wife Queen Ellenor should Govern the Kingdom and the Prince his Son He was well Shaped Strong his Visage round his Beard thin his Hair black his Eyes heavy but taken altogether his Countenance was graceful He loved gay Apparel and always appeard in Publick with Splendour As to his Inclinations he was Merciful and a lover of Truth and Justice For outward Accomplishments he was an excellent Horseman loved Wrestling and was much addicted to Hunting He writ some Treatises in Latin favoured learned Men and was very Religious Several New sorts of Money were coined by him and considering how prodigal his Predecessors had been in giving away the Revenues of the Crown he confirmed a Law invented by his Father That no Female should inherit any Gift of the Crown 7. His lawful Issue as he had no other was as follows His Issue 1st D. Alonso his Successor 2dly Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Master of the Military Orders of Christ and Santiago and Constable of Portugal and also Father to Emanuel who was afterwards King 3dly Philippa who died of the Plague at 12 Years of Age. 4thly Ellenor married to the Emperor Maximilian who was Grand-Father to the ever-renowned Charles the 5th D. John de Silva and Meneses fell passionately in Love with this Princess and followed her till he saw her married after which he became a Franciscan Fryar and led a very exemplary Life at Montorio near Rome 5thly Katherine contracted in England and Navarre yet never married 6thly Joanna Born after the Death of her Father and married afterwards to King Henry the 4th of Castile CHAP. V. The First Part of the Life 〈◊〉 Reign of King Alonso the Fifth of the Name and Twelfth King of Portugal from the Year 1432. till 1469. 1. KIng Alonso the 5th The Birth of King Alonso Succeeded his Father being but Six Years of Age. He was born at the Palace of Sintra in the Year 1432. His Father in his Will ordained 1432. That the Queen should have the Government of the Young King and Kingdom His Accession to the Crown and Differâ—â—â— between the Qâ—â—â—n and Nobility but every Nobleman striving to draw the Power into his own Hands caused all to run into Confusion whence ensued greater Destruction than had been produced by the preceding Plague They blamed the King for committing the care of the Realm to a Woman she a Forreigner and what they most resented a Castilian as they termed her tho' she was Daughter to the King of Aragon The Princes Brothers to the late King were the Heads of these Factions and particularly Prince Peter who was always an Enemy to the Queen Prince Alonso being proclaimed King in the Sixth Year of his Age on the Tenth of September in the Town of Tomar the Second Day after his Father's Death Queen Ellenor took upon her the Government as had been ordained by her Husband's Will and so far laid aside all former Animosity with Prince Peter that they did nothing without his Advice and desired him joyntly with her to Sign the Writs of Summons for the Cortes or Parliament Before the Cortes could meet Prince Peter upon pretence of Zeal to secure the Succession in Case the Young King should die before he was Marriageable caused his younger Brother Ferdinand to be Sworn Heir to the Crown conditionally if the other died without Issue The Queen pleased with these outward shows of Loyalty in Prince Peter discovered to him That the King her Husband had declared to his Confessor
refuses to go into Castile who was upon his Guard against all Artifices of the Court answered He was not in a Condition to defray the Expence he must be at in that Expedition to support the Grandeur of his Family These repeated Denyals gave the Prime Minister ground to fear the Duke notwithstanding his Natural Propension to Ease had still some thoughts of a Crown Considering therefore of what Importance it was to the King his Master to secure his Person he omitted nothing that might conduce to the compassing his Design But it being dangerous to use Force because of the great Affection the Portuguese always bore to the House of Bragança he resolved to bring him to his beck by all imaginable exterior marks of Affection and of an entire Confidence in him 5. There was War at that time betwixt France and Spain The Duke made General and the French Fleet having appeared on the Coast of Portugal furnished the Prime Minister with a fair Pretence for carrying on his Designs It was requisite there should be a General to Command the Forces that were to Guard the Coast This Commission was sent to the Duke with such an Absolute Power as seemed to put the whole Kingdom into his hands Yet this served only the better to hide the Bait. For at the same time D. Lope de Ossorio Admiral of the Spanish Fleet had Orders to put into the nearest Port to the Duke as if he were drove in by stress of Weather or on some other Pretence and having drawn him aboard as to an Entertainment to carry him away to Spain But Fortune ordered it otherwise for the Spanish Admiral lost several Ships in a Storm and the rest being dispersed he could not gain the Coast of Portugal This no way discouraged the Count Duke who looked upon the Disappointment as meerly accidental and therefore he laid his Project another away writing to D. John in such terms as expressed the greatest Confidence lamenting the loss of the Fleet which left the Coast open to be insulted by the Enemy and advising him to visit and strengthen those Places that were most exposed At the same time he sent him 40000 Ducats to raise new Forces if requisite and to defray the Charge of his Progress In the mean while the Governours of all Strong Holds being for the most part Spaniards had private Instructions to secure him if a favourable Opportunity were offered and send him into Spain D. John suspecting these extraordinary marks of Kindness made the Minister fall into the Snare he had laid for him Tho' he returned Thanks for the Trust reposed in him and gave special Assurances of Fidelity yet he made use of this Opportunity to prefer his Friends to such Posts as might be most for his own Interest He made use of the Money to Purchase new Creatures and always visited the Forts so well attended that there was no hopes of seizing his Person 6. All the Court of Spain The Duke in his Progress lays the Foundation of his future Greatness being ignorant of the Design it was grounded upon loudly exclaimed against the Prime Minister for putting such Power into the hands of a Person so suspitious 〈◊〉 the King liked the Project the better because no Body could dive to the bottom of it Thus the Duke of Bragança under colour of executing his Employment freely traversed all Portugal laying at the same time the Foundation of his future Greatness He had a Magnificent Retinue which drew the Eyes of the People after him he heard all Men with extraordinary Courtesie he curbed the Insolency of the Soldiers and at the same time commended the Officers and used all possible meanâ— to oblige them His Behaviour charmed the Nobility for he received them with obliging marks of Distinction according to every Man's Merit and Quality To be short he bestowed Favours where-ever he came and yet gained more Friends upon the hopes of what they might promise themselves from him than what at present they received So that those who saw him thought they prayed for their own Interest when they offered up their Vows for his exaltation to the Throne His Partisans did not neglect at the same time to do all things that might be for the establishing of his Reputation John Piâ—â—to Ribeiro the Comptroller of his Houshold was the Man that laboured most to reduce to an exact Method the hopes of his Master's Exaltation which were yet but in Prospect This was a vigilant active Man expert in Business and passionately zealous for his Master's Promotion as hoping to have no small hand in the Government if the Duke ascended the Throne His Master had owned to him that he would willingly embrace a fair Opportunity of seizing the Crown but would not do it like one who had nothing to lose that therefore he gave him leave to manage that Affair yet so as it should never appear that he was any ways concerned 7. Pinto had long applyed himself to discover what discontented Persons there were at Lisbon Pinto the Duke's Agent Conspires with some of the Nobility and to increase their number He spread Complaints against the present Government He put the Nobility in mind of the Honourable Employments their Families enjoyed under their Natural Princes and represented their being summoned to the War in Catalonia as an Honourable Banishment Among the Merchants and Shop-keepers he complained of the loss of their Trade discoursed of the Tyranny they lay under and extolled the Dutch and Catalonians who had asserted their Liberties The Clergy he stirred up by shewing how the Priviledges of the Church were infringed and benefices given to Strangers which ought to be the Reward of Merit and Learning among the Natives Such as he knew to be Malecontents he discoursed about his Master's Qualities to sound their Inclinations So cunningly did he manage their several Humours that after having secured many in private he at last gathered a Number of the Nobility and among them was the Archbishop of Lisbon This Prelate was of the Family of the Cunhas which is one of the best in the Kingdom a Man of â—arts beloved by the People but hateful to the Spaniards for whom he had no less aversion because they had through the Interest of the Vice-Queen given the Archbishoprick of Braga to D. Sebastian de Matos de Noronha and made him President of the Council called d'O Paço The rest that made up this Assembly were D. Michael de Almeida so great an Enemy to the Spaniards that he could never be perswaded to appear at Court D. Antony de Almada and his Son D. Lewis D. Lewis da Cunha Nephew to the Archbishop Melo the great Master of the Game D. George his Brother Peter de Mendoza D. Roderick de Sâ—a the Great Chamberlain and many Officers of the Houshold whose Employments were become only Titular since Portugal had lost its Native Kings To these the Archbishop who was naturally a well-spoken Man
in Spain to enjoy the same Priviledges as the English did the Spaniards in Portugal the same they stood possessed of in the time of King Sebastian That all Prisoners on both sides be set at liberty without Ransom That the Portugueses have free passage through all the Dominions of the Catholick King either by Sea or Land That all Controversies arising on account of Trade or otherwise shall be amicably composed betwixt the two Kings without having recourse to Arms. That the King of Portugal if he think fit may be admitted into the League that is betwixt his Catholick Majesty and the King of Great Britain All other points to remain in the same Condition they were in during the Reign of King Sebastian That the King of England be Guarantee for these Articles concluded and Mediator in all such Differences as may happen to arise Upon these Conditions the Peace was concluded betwixt his Catholick Majesty and the King of Portugal through the Interposition and Mediation of the King of Great Britain this was the end of that War which had now continued 28 Years and thus the House of Braganza was established upon the Throne of Portugal The Conclusion of the History HAving now brought the War to this happy Conclusion A word concerning the following Sheets for the House of Braganza it remains we should shew into what Troubles and Confusions they brought themselves to the endangering of the new gotten Kingdom to the ruin of their Head the then King to the perpetal in famy of the disloyal Actors and to the astonishment of all their Neighbours who were spectators of their monstrous proceedings It will not suit with the brevity of this History to clear all the matters of lesser moment which others have handled at large and for the most part with more Partiality then solid Truth Let it suffice that nothing shall be omitted which is worthy of Memory and might seem to influence or promote those alterations that happened in the State The account of the War with Spain has been taken from the best Authors that have treated thereof but in the ensuing Discourse I have not only consulted Authors who as was said before are too Partial or else wanted Information but having had the advantage of living a considerable time in Portugal I have received great Light into those Affairs from several Persons of Prudence and Judgment who were Eye-witnesses to all the Transactions But because it may be offensive to some to lay the Truth too naked I shall abridge the Relation as much as may be giving all the respect to the Living that the Subject will bear without wronging the Dead Nothing of Favour nor Affection can draw my Pen to favour either side as well in regard I am a Stranger to both as for that I can expect no Reward or Interest from those that are deprest but ought rather to mistrust being cryed down by the prevalent Faction Whatever my Fortune is I will not conceal the Truth but to avoid all Reflection will barely relate the matter of fact without discanting upon it King Alfonso in his Infancy when he was but three Years of Age The source of King Alphonso's Misfortunes had been taken with a Palsie which during those very tender Years was hard to be removed but as he grew up in Strength fit Remedies being applyed he became perfectly cured so that no sign of it remained except some small Contraction in his Right Hand This fatal Palsie may be said to have been the very Source of all this unfortunate King's Calamities for though as has been said there was scarce any token of it left in him yet his Enemies made their use of it to perswade the ignorant that it had affected his Brain and that he was consequently become unfit for Government To gain their slaunders the more Reputation they never ceased to accuse him of false Crimes and to blacken in the most odious manner his youthful Oversights and Extravagancies which in themselves were no more then what are daily seen in those raw Years where Power is joyned to heat of Blood The Nobility were averse to him because he was naturally vehement and therefore they feared he would in time crush their Pride and make them sensible of that distance which ought to be betwixt a Monarch and a Subject His Mother a haughty Woman became implacable because being always used to rule she must against her Will resign up the Power to him His Queen it is most likely bore more Affection to his Brother then to him as is visible by the Privacies that passed betwixt them from her first coming into the Kingdom His Brother could not withstand the Temptation of a Crown which by stretching out his Hand might be secured and by delaying too long might have slipt away for ever if the King had either had Issue or out-lived him And in fine the giddy multitude were ever lovers of Change and so artificially prepared by the horrid Reports daily spread against the King that many of them looked upon him no otherwise then as a Monster or a Fury for so was he represented to them and the custom of Portugal is such as their Kings are but little seen by the People The Count de Odemira Governor to the young King His 〈…〉 King John dying and his Queen entering upon the Regency D. Francis de Faro Count of Odemira was appointed Governor to the young King Alphonso who being a Man of excellent parts and allyed to the Blood-Royal omitted nothing that might be conducing to the Improvement of his Charge taking care that he should be 〈◊〉 in such learning as became a Prince and 〈◊〉 into him such notions of Politicks as his Age was capable 〈…〉 was not naturally addicted to study and therefore perhaps made not so great an Improvement as his Governor expected who not considering his Age would perhaps have him to be a Man before his time and therefore was much offended that he would addict himself to the Company of other Boys like himself and follow the Sports used among them But generally speaking the King 's greatest delight was in violent Exercises and particularly in making parties of Boys and seeing them fight Among the rest that used to divert him was one Antony Conti de Vintimiglia the Son of a Genoese Merchant but born at Lisbon who being crafty above his Years by always applauding and furthering the King's Designs so worked himself into his Affection that he took no Delight in any pastime without him Conti knew so well how to improve his Fortune and the King's Favour that at length he became by his continual attendance upon him an Eye-sore to the Count de Odemira and generally to all the Nobility who were jealous that a Man of mean extraction should have the Ear of their Prince fearing he might in time grow up so as to cope with their Grandeur Hereupon the Queen joyned her Authority to that of the Count to forbid
besides not only the Magistrates and multitude of Lisbon but generally of the whole Country pressing upon him with Threats and open Violence he was at last constrained contrary to his Inclination to comply with their demands For it was now come to that pass that the Council did not advise but command him wheresoever he went the clamours of a Parliament followed him and from all parts Letters were brought urging the same thing It was now equally dangerous to him to refuse or to call the Cortes for the intent was not to do justice by calling them The King forced by his Enemies to call the Assembly of the States but to palliate disloyal practices under that Name Not content to have extorted a complyance to the meeting of the States though the King desired it might be delayed till his return from Salvaterra which would be about the middle of February they obliged him to send out the Writs of Summons for the first of January 1668 so impatient is the desire of Rule After this Violence committed upon him the King finding himself beset on all â—ides by his Enemies and no hope left of safety among them his Crown Liberty and Life being all in eminent danger he resolved to fly to some other place To this purpose he caused Horses to be provided and Boats upon the River He designs to fly to the Armâ— but is prevented by his Brother thinking to try his Fortune in the Province of Alentejo but his Brother who wanted not Intelligence having all the Power prevented his Design The time appointed for the meeting of the Cortes or Parliament being come the Queen who well knew the King would be deposed by them The Queen knowing the King would be deposed flies to a Monastery disdaining to appear her self in a less Sphere than that she had been raised to resolved before Hand to separate her self from him Accordingly on the 21st of November 1667. she retired to the Monastery of Franciscan Nuns called Esperanca into which when she was entred she gave out she was a Maid as being untouched by the King and that she came thither for refuge amidst those Confusions that embroiled the Kingdom Presently after she sent the King a Billet writ with her own Hand to this effect That she had left her Country and Friends to become his Wife but finding she was not acceptable to him and fearing the dangers that threatned on all sides she had resolved to return into France That she desired his leave and the restitution of her Dower since the Marriage was void for want of Consummation Having read this Billet the King was so enraged that he immediately took Coach with a resolution to force her from the Monastery but the Infante who was privy to the whole matter was there before him with a vast Company and withstood him so that he was forced to return without doing any thing Amidst all his Misfortunes and the Affronts put upon him nothing so nearly touched Alphonso as this last offered him by the Queen As soon as setled she sent for the Infante and conferred with him in private as was then given out about her return into France but the more received Opinion and approved by the Event was that there they agreed to be Marryed as soon as her Marriage with the King could be made void Her next Care was to send to the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Lisbon to desire their Judgment for the dissolution of the Marriage then she sent for all the Nobility who being come into her Presence she demanded their Assistance and Protection and lastly she sent an Express into France to acquaint the King and her Kindred with what she had done Mean while King Alphonso overwhelmed with such a continual stream of disasters following one upon the Neck of another being insulted by the Commonalty contemned by the Nobility deluded by his Brother and forsaken by his Wife stood as one amazed and almost stupified not knowing what course to take Nor was there any left to extricate himself out of this Labyrinth of Confusions and Miseries But now approached the last act of this Tragedy and all that had been before acted under a mask must appear bare-fac'd to the World Therefore the Council of State being assembled together with the Magistrates of the City it was resolved the King should be layed aside and the Government put into the hands of his Brother Yet that the Action might appear the more justifiable they agreed to endeavour to perswade the King to resign up the Government to his Brother but in case he refus'd then it was concluded he should not only be deposed but imprisoned However that it should be left to the determination of the Parliament whether the Infante should be enthroned as King or the King restored to his Liberty This Decree being passed in the morning by break of day the whole Council went without the Infante to acquaint the King with their Resolution Amongst them the Marquess of Cascaes more insolent then the rest being told by the King's Servants that he was still asleep bid them awake him at the same time fell himself a knocking rudely at his Door Insolent words of the Marquess de Cascae◠〈…〉 The King being thus disturbed ordered the Council to be admitted Then the Marquess of Cascaes with a loud Voice accosted the King in these very Words without the least respect or common Civility Thou lyest wallowing in Sloath and Pleasures when the ruin of the Kingdom threatens thee and us through thy Fault Therefore since thou art unfit to Rule or get Children pass from thy Self willingly that Burthen which thou art not able to bear to thy Brother Peter least the Kingdom be deprived of a King and the Royal Family of an Heir and least thou be forced to that against thy Will which thou wilt not freely consent to The rest of the Council spoke to the same effect though not altogether in such audacious Language The King tho' surprized at so trayterous a Proposition answered That he was a lawful King and brought to that pass by the Malice and Perfidiousness of his Enemies Alphonso resolutely denies to resign the Crown but that however no Fear or Danger should force him to resign the Crown as long as he had Breath to draw yet if they would use Violence to him that then he would appeal for Justice to the supream Tribunal which is above all Kings against those that violated his Authority and wrongfully snatched his Crown Being thus disappointed of their first attempt the Council repaired to the Infante where they protracted their Debates till late at Night for being resolved to use force they feared least the People who before took their part against the Favourites should be of another Mind when the matter came to touch the King's Person However after much time spent in fruitless projects they came to this Resolution That the King should be forcibly deposed and
p 306 In Lisbon where the Queen dyes of it p. 270 Pompey subdues many places p. 55 Pope Alexander grants the Investiture of the Kingdom of Portugal to Alonso under a Tribute p 171 Porto rebuilt Its Armes p. 84 Portugal how divided by Augustus p. 71 Governed by Commissioners p. 370 Portuguese Fleet wastes the Island of Cadiz p. 240 Portuguese Army destroyed by the Moors and the King's Standard taken p. 277 Portuguese Ambassadors Brother beheaded for a Murther in England p. 475 Portuguese Army routed p. 293 Portuguese General endeavours to draw away the Spanish Army from Olivenca by giving a diversion p. 492 Portug Army lays siege to Fort S. Christoph near Badajoz p. 495 Portuguese Horse under Count Schombergh routed near Badajoz p. 501 Portuguese Colony at Rio de la Plata in America destroyed by the Spaniards p. 567 Portug Fleet all but one Galley taken by the Castilians p. 246 Portuguese Ambassador at Rome p. 409 Not being admitted returns home p. 422 Portuguese Army in Estremadura p. 423 Portuguese Affairs at Rome p. 434 Portuguese Fleet slips up the River to Lisbon p. 259 Portuguese Nobility insult their King on account of his Favourite p. 146 Portugueses attempting Barcarota repulsed with loss p. 491 Portugueses ravage the Frontiers of Estremadura The same in the Province of Beira They take Codissera p. 431 They attempt Badajoz p. 432 Preamble to the Conclusion p. 529 Presents of the first fruits of India sent to the Pope p. 323 Prime Ministers of Spain resolve to draw the Duke out of Portugal p. 389 Princes Rupert and Maurice fly to Lisbon from the English and are protected p. 457 They put to Sea with a Portuguese Squadron and return without fighting p. 459 Prince proceeds in his disobedience p. 216 Prince marches off with the scattered Army p. 293 Princess governs Spain p. 337 Principal Conspirators seized and punished p. 405 Priscilian the Heretick Condemned p. 88 Proceedings ordered to run in the name of D. John of Portugal p. 397 Proceedings of several Ambassadors p. 460 Prodigies seen in the Sky p. 128 223 375 345 Prodigious Birth p. 91 Progress of the Carthaginians in Spain p. 21 Of the War in the Province of Alentejo p. 411 Of the Portuguese Arms in Brazil p. 455 Prosecution of the War in Brasil p. 442 Protector proclaimed King p. 262 Q. QUeen Luisa prepares to invade Castile p. 494 Her Ambition p. 532 She sets up Peter the Inâ—ante against King Alonso p. 537 The Councel combines with her p. 536 She is forced to resign the Government Pretends to retire but stays at Court in hopes to wrest the Power from her Son p. 537 She the Infante and their party hold Consultations against the K. She is at last forced to retire p. 542 Her Death p. 546 R. RAmiro I. King of Leon his Actions p. 119 Ramiro II. of Castile and Leon destroys a great Army of Infidels p. 128 Ramiro III. succeeds under the tuition of his Mother and Aunt p. 132 Rebels seize the Queen p. 180 Recaredus succeeds He becomes a Catholick p. 97 He dies p. 98 Remarks upon the number eight p. 111 Upon some conceits of the Portuguese Authors p. 152 Remismundus marries the Daughter of Theodoricus p. 92 Ricciarius his Reign p. 88 He is overthrown by Theodoricus King of the Goths His end p. 89 Richila makes himself master of Lusitania and Andaluzia p. 88 Robert Labril and Richard Cambil English â—men with a Fleet of 63 Ships arrive at Lisbon and assist the Portugueses against the Moors p. 177 Roderick last King of the Goths p. 108 He ravishes Florinda the Daughter of Count Julian p. 109 His Army of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse p. 111 Roderick de Alencastre defeats a Party of Moors at Tangier p. 477 Roderick de Bivar commonly called Cid his Birth p. 139 Roderick de Castro in the Province of Beira p. 454 Romans come into Spain p. 25 Defeated by the Spaniards p. 27 Twice defeated p. 28 Romantick Story of King Ramiro p. 129 Rout of the Christians p. 347 S. SAguntum destroyed p. 24 St. Vincent's Body translated to Lisbon p. 171 Sancho I. of Castile an Usurper called the Faâ— Returns and expels Ordono p. 131 Sancho II. overthrows his Brother Garcia and takes him prisoner p. 147 After subduing Portugal he Conquers Leon and becomeâ— sole monarch p. 14â— Sancho I. King of Portugal succeeds his Father Alonso p. 17â— His Actions under his Father p. 174 He repairs anâ— builds many Towns p. 175 Takes Silves in Algarve with the help of a Foreign Fleet. Subdues Algarve and adds that Title to Portugal p. 176 His Death and Issue p. 179 His Arms. p. 180 Sancho II. King of Portugal ascends the Throne p. 185 He entirely defeats the Moors at Elvâ—â— p. 186 His Subjects ripe for Rebellion tho' he is blameless They cavil at all his Actions p. 188 He is betrayed by all his ministers p. 189 His Brother Alonso made Vicar of the Kingdom by the Rebels He flies to Castile His Death p. 190 His person described p. 191 Sappho the Carthaginian gathers Gold in Spain p. 1â— Schism in the Church p. 247 Sebastian King of Portugal his Birth p. 340 His accession to the Crown Odd Actions of his p. 341 He prepares for an expedition into Africk p. 342 Passes over into Africk Defeats the Moors and returns to Lisbon p. 343 Has an interview with the King of Spain makes preparations for a second Voyage into Africk p. 344 Not to be moved from his resolution p. 345 He and the Nobility embark in a Fleet of 1000 Sail with 18000 Land-men they land at Arzila p. 346 His Character p. 348 Sertorius his origin p. 45 He comes into Lusitania his practices his Warlike exploits p. 46 He is worsted by Pompey and Metellus p. 46 Routed by Metellus p. 50 The Romans sustain great losses by him p. 51 Is again overthrown by Metellus and Pompey p. 52 Recovers and worsts the Romans p. 53 Is murdered p. 54 Several people plant new Colonies p. 17 Great Battles p. 19 Towns founded p. 20 Pretenden to the Crown p. 350 Military expeditions p. 239 406 Persons suffer martyrdom in Japan p. 421 Enterprizes on the Frontiers of Alentejo p. 438 Synods p. 95 Sextus Pompeyus appears again and makes great commotions p. 6â— Sham Conspiracy p. 425 Sicanus succeeds in the Throne p. 10 Sicceleus resigns p. 10 Siculus the next King p. 11 Sidonians in Spain p. 14 Siâ—ns of our Saviour's Birth in Spain p. 72 Silves again recovered p. 187 Single Combat p. 221 Sisâ—butus chosen King p. 99 Sisenandus succeeds in the Throne p. 100 Small incursions made by the Spaniards p. 485 Small incursions in Beira p. 484 〈◊〉 of Egypt threatens Hierusalem p. 319 Some persons apprehended upon a false information of their corresponding with Spain p. 479 Spain divided by the Romans p. 26 Spain and Portugal divide the World betwixt them p. 308 Spaniards return and rout the Consul p.
made a Speech representing the state of the Kingdom since it fell into the hands of the Spaniards in its most hideous form He shewed them how Philip the Second to secure his Conquest had put to Death many of the Nobility not sparing even the Clergy having to that effect obtained a Bull from the Pope How the Spaniards had ever since followed the same Maxims of Government That no Man's Life or Estate was safe That the Nobility was slighted Benefices given to unworthy Persons the People consumed with Taxes the Country lay waste and Towns desart the Men being carryed away by force to the War in Catalonia That the last Orders from Court for Summoning the Arrier-Ban served only to draw away all the Nobility that they might end their days in Exile whilst their Estates were given away to Strangers In fine that he would rather wish to die than survive the utter Ruin of his Country and hoped so many Worthy Persons were not met there to no purpose 8. This Discourse renewed the Memory of every man's private Grievances The Conspirators incensed resolve to put their Designs in execution but above all they resented the Summons for Catalonia as designed for their utter Ruin These Considerations and the desire of Revenge made them resolve to take the necessary Measures for shaking off so heavy a Yoke They blamed themselves for having suffered patiently so long and concluded it was absolutely necessary to expel the Spaniards but were divided upon what Form of Government to choose Some were for a Commonwealth like that of Holland The others were for a King but differed about the Person some proposing the Duke of 〈◊〉 others the Marquess of Villarcal and others the Duke of 〈◊〉 all three Princes of the Blood-Royal of Portugal every Man speaking according to his private Affection or prospect of Advantage The Archbishop who was entirely devoted to the House or Bragança making use of the Authority of his Character declared to them that the choice of a Governour was not Arbitrary since they could not in Conscience break the Oath of Fidelity they had taken to Spain unless it were to enthrone the Rightful Heir to the Crown which was the Duke of Bragança Besides that his Power and Interest was such that without him they could hope for no Success tho' he were not as indeed he was the first Prince of the Blood Then he descanted upon the Duke 's good Qualities and so managed the Assembly that they all resolved to make him their King and that every Man should use the utmost of his Endeavours for carrying on that Design Thus the Assembly broke up having first fixed the Time and Place for another Meeting wherein they should take the necessary Measures to secure a speedy and happy Success to their Enterprize Pinto seeing all well disposed in favour of his Master writ privately to him to draw near to Lisbon as well to encourage the Conspirators by his Presence as to take Order with them about putting the Design in execution Upon this Advice the Duke some days after set forward from Villaviciosa and came to Almada a Village opposite to Lisbon on the other side the River as if he had fallen in there accidentally in his Progress through the Kingdom He had so splendid an Equipage and was followed by such a Numerous Train of Persons of Quality and Officers that he looked more like a King going to take Possession of his Crown than a General that was visiting the Posts under his Charge The Duke visits the Vice-Queen Being so near Lisbon he could not omit paying his Respects to the Vice-Queen When he entred the Great Court before the Palace all the Avenues were thronged with People flocking to see him and all the Nobility came to Conduct him before the Vice-Queen Such was the Joy throughout the City at the first sight of him that he seemed either to want only a Herald to Proclaim his King then or else courage to seize the Crown But he was too wise to commit his Fortune to the wild Sallies of the giddy Multitude and therefore having visited the Vice-Queen he instantly retired to Almada without so much as entring the House of Bragança for fear of heightning the Jealousie of the Spaniards who were already too much alarmed 9. Pinto having made the Conspirators observe his Master 's fearful Cautiousness The Conspirators Deputies confer with the Duke at Almada said they must make their Advantage of his stay at Almada and use a sort of Violence to oblige him to accept of the Crown His Advice being approved of they gave him in charge to know of his Master when they might wait upon him with their Proposals which he did upon Condition only three of the Conspirators should come to him Michael de Almeida Antony de Almada and Mendoza were accordingly privately conducted into the Duke's Closet at Almada Antony de Almada represented to him the miserable state of the Kingdom the little Security any Man had of his Life or Estate and that even he himself had no other Refuge to fly to but the Crown He shewed him the low Condition the Spaniards were reduced to the Assistance he might expect from Foreign Princes who were Enemies to the House of Austria and particularly from France the Conveniency of the Sea for bringing of Succours and lastly the small Number of Spaniards that were left in Portugal the Garrisons being drained to supply the Army in Catalonia This Discourse was pleasing enough to the Duke yet nevertheless keeping himself within the Bounds of his Natural Timidity he answered so as they might not have cause to despair of him nor to hope much more than they did before telling them He was sensible of the deplorable Condition of the Kingdom and of his own Danger that he commended their Zeal for their Country and was beholding to them for their good Wishes towards him but that it was not as yet time to think of applying such violent Remedies which might prove of Fatal Consequence To this dubious Answer he added such Caresses and particular Thanks that they could no longer doubt but that their Proposals were acceptable and yet they found he would make no advances till the Success of their Enterprize was past all danger After some private Conference with Pinto he returned to Villaviciosa but not with that inward quiet which he used to enjoy as a private Man and therefore immediately communicated the whole Affair to the Dutchess This Lady was by Birth a Spaniard and Sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia a Grandee of Spain and Governour of Andaluzia She was naturally ambitious and her Father had endeavoured to improve that Inclination in her Besides her Knowledge in other Languages she was so perfect in her own and had such an insinuating way that she drew all mens hearts All the Customs of Portugal she had made Natural to her self and had by her extraordinary Application and Carriage gained an